DEVONPORT Services will be looking to book their place in the Devon Senior Cup final on Saturday when they play Exmouth for the second time within the space of seven days.
The clubs only met last weekend at the Rectory in Regional One South West, a game Services won 21-10.
This time, weather permitting, the match will be played at Exmouth’s Imperial Ground, where the home side are unbeaten yet this season with three wins and a draw to their name there.
“I think the boys have just about recovered from last week’s physical game against them,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.
“That was probably the most physical game they will play all year.
“And we are looking forward to this one on Saturday Hopefully, the pitch holds up.”
He added: “We are putting the best side out to try and win the game.
“Since I’ve been here the boys have won two out of two Devon cup finals and so if we don’t get to the final, I think they will be disappointed.
“However, at the end of the day, it’s not the be-all-and-end-all, as obviously the league is the more important thing. But we are going there to try and win.
“We know they have got a good scrum so we will be expecting another tough old day in that department again.
“We have worked on a few things that we weren’t as good as we should have been last week.”
Services are missing backs Sam Brown, Toby Knowles, Harrison Coonick, Dan Lilley and Tom Davies this weekend.
Brown pulled his hamstring last Saturday and Knowles suffered concussion in that match.
It means Services are likely to start with a similar-looking backline that finished last weekend’s game, although Billy Sutton is set to get a chance at scrum-half, with Richard West reverting to fly-half.
Warren Weerakoon, Luke Stannard and Fin White are set to be promoted from the second team and feature on the bench for the first team.
Weerakoon made his first team debut in the last round of the cup against Ivybridge, but former Bridgwater player White is still to make his Services’ debut.
“He has been class for the twos,” said Russell on White’s promotion. “The numbers he has been putting across for carrying and tackling is unreal. He has just been getting better and better and he is physical.”
Services’ second team also have a cup semi-final this weekend when they entertain Brixham II at Keyham in the Devon 2nd XV Cup.
Both sides top their respective divisions – Services II lead Counties Two Devon and Brixham II are unbeaten at the summit of Counties Three South & West.
“They are a league below us so on paper we should win, but if we don’t turn up then it could be interesting as we know the way Brixham play,” said Russell. “Other than last week (against Techs), they have been smashing everyone.”
With Charlie Groves, Billy Sutton, Luke Stannard, Fin White and Warren Weerakoon all expected to be in the first team squad, Services’ second string will not be quite as strong as it has been in recent weeks.
But they are able to welcome back Charlie Over and Al Thomas, while Taine Morgan could get his chance after playing for the thirds last weekend.
Ivybridge should have been taking two teams to Topsham for cup semi-finals this weekend.
Their first should have been competing in the Devon Senior Shield and their seconds in the Devon 2nd XV Cup.
However, the Bridgers have pulled out of both matches due to ‘injuries and unavailability’, according to head coach Steve Atkinson.
“We did have a first XV going, but then we had two front-row pull out,” said Atkinson.
Topsham have been left disappointed by the news as they had planned a ladies’ day to coincide with both matches and are now having to re-fund people who had bought tickets.
Plymstock Oaks will be hoping to upset higher opposition when they entertain Okehampton at Horsham Fields in the semi-finals of the Devon Intermediate Cup on Saturday (1pm).
Oaks were boosted by a win away at Saltash last weekend and are up for testing themselves against higher league opponents.
“They are in the league above, but it’s another game of rugby for us,” said Oaks coach Mike Lewis.
“And if you can win a cup or something along the way, then that’s the whole point.”
Oaks II are also at home in a cup semi-final against higher league opponents as they take on Exmouth II (2pm).
OPMs and Liskeard-Looe will meet in a cup contest at Lux Park for the second time this season on Saturday when they meet in the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup.
The sides were also drawn against each other in the RFU Community Cup at Lux Park, a match OPMs won 19-5.
The Old Boys will be looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Tavistock last weekend.
Liskeard-Looe have been on a good run of form in Counties Two Cornwall and sit second in the table, just behind Camborne II.
They have not lost since that defeat by OPMs in September and have beaten Falmouth, St Just, Wadebridge II and Bude in their last four league games.
The Lions are set to hand a debut to number eight Fin Elworthy.