IVYBRIDGE could move into the top four of Regional Two South West on Saturday if they can claim back-to-back away victories and see off bottom side Wellington.
The fixture should have been played in Somerset on December 6, but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
There are doubts again about whether the Athletic Ground pitch will be playable, but Ivybridge were in contact with winless Wellington and the RFU as early as Monday and have offered to switch the fixture if required.
“The RFU and Devon are happy, but it is up to Wellington,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.
The Bridgers are just preparing for the game to be played in Somerset.
Atkinson feels his team will be hungry for a win after narrowly losing 41-38 late on at home against second-placed Tiverton last weekend.
“Last week everyone was gutted,” said Atkinson. “It was just that last 10 or 15 minutes again. They (Tiverton) just seemed to want it a little bit more and it got a bit scrappy.
“But it was all good experienced for our young lads. I was gutted for them at the end, but I was so pleased with how they responded afterwards. They are all maturing really quickly.”
Ivybridge have now lost young backs Harry Newman-Wild, Jamie Campbell, Jack Guyver and Charlie Moody, who have gone travelling.
Newman-Wild’s place at fly-half is set to be taken by Shay Taylor.
“We have been prepping Shay Taylor for 10, even though he is a normally a 12,” said Atkinson. “He did play a bit of 10 back home in Wales.
“Shay has done really well when he has come on. I have been really impressed with him.
“We have said to him this is his chance.”
Matt Skeemer will also return to the team in the centre, alongside Adam Lilley, with George Vertessy moving to one win and Owen Alp coming in on the other wing as Tom Scoles is not available this weekend.
“There will be a bit of chopping and changing,” said Atkinson.
Ivybridge beat Okehampton in their last away game, which ended a run of 15 months without a victory on their travels.
They will be big favourites to claim another this weekend against a Wellington side that appear destined for the drop after failing to win a match all season after losing head coach Graham Dawe in the summer.
The club have only scored 146 points from their 13 league games so far and conceded a massive 638 points.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
PLYMSTOCK Oaks have a big home on Saturday when they host sixth-placed Truro at Horsham Fields.
Although Oaks are four places below their Cornish visitors in 10th spot, there are only six points between the clubs and Plymstock will be keen to close the gap to just one or two this weekend.
They will also have a point to prove against Truro, having lost to them twice already this season down in Cornwall.
Oaks went down 28-12 in the opening round of the RFU Community Cup and then were beaten 33-12 at the same venue in the league three weeks later.
“We have lost twice down there,” said coach Mike Lewis. “In the first game we did ourselves a bit short and we probably could have played a bit better but they probably deserved the second one. So, we do certainly owe them one.”
Oaks are also keen to bounce back from last week’s frustrating loss away at Redruth II.
“We could have and should have won last week,” said Lewis. “We have been kicking ourselves a bit this week as we should be three wins on the bounce.
“But it’s one of those where you just have to move on to the next one and make sure we start a run again.”
Oaks are able to name a strong side for Saturday’s match with Sean Wills back in the front-row, but they are missing Ollie White and Alfie Upton.
In the same division, Saltash had been due to visit league leaders Wiveliscombe but that game has already been postponed.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
OPMs will have a point to prove on Saturday when they host league leaders Devonport Services II at King George V Playing Fields, weather permitting.
The Old Boys have been competitive in most games this season, but they were well beaten 72-12 by Services II at Stonehouse Creek back in October.
OPMs will want to show that was a one-off and show how good they are at home. They have only lost once this season on their own pitch – a narrow 17-15 defeat to South Molton, who also beat them last week.
Both clubs are going into this weekend on the back of losses.
OPMs went down 39-12 away at South Molton last Saturday, while Services II suffered only their second defeat of the campaign by narrowly going down 21-15 to Honiton with an understrength team.
“Last week we only had eight boys who had played the weekend before when we beat Exeter Saracens,” said Services head coach Ben Russell, whose first team are without a fixture.
“Last week we got hit massively as we needed five or six to go to Chew Valley (with the first team) and we also had other boys unavailable.
“But everyone should be back this week.”
The list of players returning should include Matt Scott, Josh Martin, Sam Fincham, Charlie Over and Warren Weerakoon, who is back from visiting his family over Christmas and new year.
Tomorrow’s match is one of just two away fixtures Services II have left this season. Their only other away trip is to Bideford, while they have seven remaining home fixtures.
Tavistock are also a team with a lot of home games still to come in the final few months of the season.
However, this weekend they are on their travels again when, weather permitting, they visit third-placed Exeter Saracens. It will be their fifth away game in seven matches.
Exeter Saracens do have a good home record, with only Services II winning at Exhibition Fields this season.
Tavistock head coach Leigh Puttock said: “Another challenging week of preparation leads us into an away trip to Exeter Saracens, with the weather once again doing its best to disrupt our build-up.
“That said, one thing remains firmly within our control, the performance and result we return with.
“We travel with a more than capable squad, and belief has to be high within the group.”
He added: “On a personal note, I’m really looking forward to a run of fixtures back at the original Sandy Park over the coming weeks – proper rugby surrounds and a great place to test ourselves.
“I want to pay tribute to how the lads have come through a tough block of fixtures.
“Looking back at selection over recent weeks, the versatility shown has been outstanding. Players like Harry Ball (wing, second-row and prop), Will White (back-row, centre and wing) and John Hudson (prop and second-row) have all stepped up in multiple positions. It perfectly reflects our ethos: outside of the set-piece, we’re all rugby players – just wearing random numbers on the backs.”
Tavistock are able to welcome back Royal Marine Henry Shaw and Dom Finn could make his debut.
“We are delighted to finally bring Dom into the matchday squad,” said Puttock. “He picked up an injry earlier in the season before he could make his debut, so it’s great to see another commando ready to pull on the shirt.”
Freddie Fuller stays at fly-half, with Leo Mitchell coming on to the bench to add size and mobility.
Ivybridge II are also on their travels again when they visit South Molton.
The Vandals were gutted last week to agonisingly lose 25-24 to the last kick of the game at second-placed Bideford. That was their first defeat in three games.
“They were gutted last week as they lost with the last kick of the game, which was a shame,” said head coach Steve Atkinson.
“But the boys are still buzzing. I think they have turned a bit of a corner and wee have a strong team out, even though we have lost a few players.”
COUNTIES THREE DEVON SOUTH & WEST
TEAMS in Devon South & West will be hoping the weather and a shortage of referees do not impact this weekend’s fixtures.
There is due to be a Plymouth Combination derby with Plympton Victoria hosting in-form Old Techs are St Mary’s Field on Saturday.
Both clubs have got a side and the pitch is playable, but as of Thursday night the teams were still waiting for a referee.
“We have been told there is a desperate shortage of referees,” said Plym Vic Chris Hunt.
“But hopefully we will get a ref as we’ve got a team and are ready to play.
“It will be tough and we know Techs have some great runners.”
Techs are on a four-match winning run and could move into the top three if they win on Saturday.
“The last three of four games we have played some really good rugby,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith. “We now move on to Plympton Victoria, who always give you a game, before a two-week break.”
Plymouth Argaum, who are currently in third place, should have been playing Totnes away, but that match has already been postponed.
Tamar Saracens, meanwhile, are due to host bottom side Kingsbridge II at the Parkway.
Sarries will be hoping Kingsbridge II and they have named a strong squad for the match, including the returning Frazer Tatchell and Joey Pook.
A club spokesperson said: “The lads go into this one full of confidence, boosted by an outstanding win over Oaks last time out – a real performance built on intensity, discipline and real Saracens grit.
“Availability has been outstanding this week and the boys are eager, fired up and ready to go.”