DEVONPORT Services will be looking to increase their lead at the top of Regional One South West on Saturday when they host Lydney either at Stonehouse Creek or Keyham.

With second-placed Topsham playing third-placed Brixham, it is a crucial weekend for Services, who currently have a one-point lead at the summit.

That had hoped to play Saturday’s game at the Rectory, but the MoD have put the historic ground out of bounds. They will play at Stonehouse Creek if that is playable, if not, they will move the game to the  artificial pitch at Keyham.

If they do play at Keyham, there would be a double-header for rugby supporters to watch as their second team are playing Tavistock in the Lockie Cup at 1pm.

Services head coach Ben Russell is a bit frustrated that the Rectory is out-of-bounds.

“The first team haven’t played at home since Brixham on January 10 and our next home game after this weekend won’t be until March 7, but they are not letting us play on it,” he said.

“But we’ll just play it and we know we need to try and get the win.”

Lydney are one of those sides that the title-chasing teams will worry about as they can always cause an upset.

“If Lydney win their game in hand they would go fourth,” said Russell.

The Forest of Dean side will arrive in sixth spot, just three points behind fourth-placed Exmouth and two behind fifth-placed St Austell.

Services currently have a one point lead from Topsham, with third-placed Brixham 12 points behind them.

With those two sides playing each other, it is vital Devonport try to pick up a full five points at home.

However, they are hit by a number of injuries and unavailabilities, particularly in their backs.

Tom Davies, Harrison Coonick, Matt Neyle, Elliott Pocknell, Billy Orchard, Bertie Fordham and possibly Dan Lilley are all unavailable, but they do have Shaun Crawford, Toby Knowles and Kyle Felton back after missing their last league match at Chew Valley.

Youngster Pocknell had made his debut in that game and scored two tries, but he is away with the South West Under-18 squad, along with club team-mates Nathan Todd and Jake McKenzie.

“It’s cracking for us that three have got into the squad, but it means they can’t play this weekend,”  said Russell.

Services are set to hand a first league start to former Saltash forward Freddy Dover after he impressed when he came on for his debut against Chew Valley.

REGIONAL TWO SOUTH WEST

WEATHER permitting, Ivybridge have a crucial match away at fourth-placed Crediton on Saturday in Regional Two South West.

Just one point and two places separate the sides in the table, with Ivybridge just currently out of a play-off spot, but with a game in hand against Wellington to play.

“I have a feeling it will be a deciding game for who makes the play-offs, so it will be a massive game for both sides,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.

“They (Crediton) are on a really big winning streak at the moment so hopefully we can do something about that and come away with the win.”

There is due to be a pitch inspection on Friday ahead of the game. Crediton’s junior pitches have been flooded, but their main senior field is higher up, but the fixture is still a doubt.

“They are doing a pitch inspection, but we are still prepping as if we have a game,” said Atkinson

“We are really lucky with our pitch as we haven’t stopped training or anything due to the weather.”

If the game does go ahead, then Ivybridge are set to hand a first start to back Eden Quantock, who has played rugby league for the Royal Navy.

“He will come in more as a defensive player due to his rugby league background.

“He has been training really well. He has been with us about a month now. He’s played twice for our twos. He’s normally a centre but can play anywhere in the backs and from what I have seen he is good defensively.

“From what I can remember, Crediton have a good back three, so it will be good to mix it up a bit.”

Ivybridge are likely to go with three forwards on the bench, with fit-again Ben Winters set to join Matt Finn and Michael Jenson among the replacements.

“Ben started the season really, really well, but he was out for about for about four or five weeks,” said Atkinson. “It was a shame really, but he has really impressed me the last couple of weeks for the twos.”

CUP GAMES

COUNTIES Two league rivals Devonport Services II and Tavistock will clash at Keyham on Saturday in the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup.

League leaders Services II have a good record in the Lockie Cup and they will have their eyes on reaching the final once again.

They have already seen off the University of Plymouth 104-0 in their opening match in the competition, whereas Tavistock have yet to feature so would drop into the RNEC Cup if they did lose.

Tavistock are missing a number of key players this weekend and they have not been helped by finding it hard to train due to the weather.

“With the weather and light issues at Tavistock College’s rubber crumb disrupting our Tuesday training, frustration has understandably been building – felt by myself, the club and most of the players.

“Add a growing injury list and unavoidable family commitments into the mix, and we head into this week against a very strong Devonport Services side with our backs firmly against the wall.

“As a club, this is a moment where we must pull together for a final push of the season.

“A players’ meeting will be called shortly to openly discuss where we are, how we finish this season and – just as importantly – how we put ourselves in a far stronger position heading into next year.

“We know we have some exciting colts coming through ovet the next few seasons, but it’s on us to build the platform they can confidently step on to.

“Tavistock is a great club and it’s time we consistently back that up – on the training field when conditions allow, and on match days regardless of circumstances.”

He added: “There will be positional changes and we’re missing key personnel this week, but one thing will not change; we will step on to the pitch and give everything for the shirt.

“At least playing at Keyham we know the game will be on – and that’s all we ask for: the chance to compete.

“I just really wish we could have stepped out on the field last week to keep the lads playing week in, week out.”

Services II are set to welcome back a number of players including Toby Moss, Tom Richards and Al Thomas, while there could be starts for youngster Ben Whysall and Ethan Piercy.

“The twos have loads of changes again, but for the better,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.

“The team is more like the team that played against Exeter Saracens rather than against Honiton.

“Young colt Ben Whysall will start at nine. He’s been really good in training.”

Plymouth Argaum should have been hosting Somerset side Wells in the Counties Three and below RFU Community Championship Cup at Bickleigh Down, but that game has been postponed due to the weather.

Wells wanted a decision on Thursday night before confirming their travel plans.

“They were pushing us for a decision as they were travelling,” said Argaum head coach Dean Avery.

“It was unplayable on Thursday night and the forecast is pretty horrendous.

“When we played OPMs last year the referee called it off when both captains were happy and we don’t want to be in that situation again.

“The weather has just been awful. I can’t remember it being this bad.”

OPMs were due to host Cornish side Perranporth in the RFU Community Counties Two South Plate  competition at King George V Playing Field, but that match has also been postponed.

COUNTIES ONE AND THREE

SALTASH are due to try again and host Kingsbridge at home in Counties One Western West.

The fixture was postponed two weeks ago due to a waterlogged pitch at Moorlands Lane and it remains to be seen if it can be played anywhere this weekend.

If it is, then second-from-bottom Saltash really could do with a win to close the gap on Plymstock Oaks, who still just a place above them.

Oaks are seven points in front of them, but Saltash do have two games in hand.

The Ashes have only played one game so far since Christmas – on January 10 when they were beaten away at St Ives.

Kingsbridge, who did pull out of visiting Saltash in the RFU Community Cup earlier in the season, are one of the league’s in-form teams at the moment. They have won their last five league matches to move up to third.

When the sides met a High House in October, Kingsbridge narrowly won 27-22.

In Counties Three Devon South & West, Plympton Victoria are due to host city rivals Old Techs at St Mary’s Field.

The game should have been played last weekend, but was postponed as there was no referee available.

Techs are currently on a four-game winning run and they are keen to continue that against second-from-bottom side Plym Vic.

“For once we almost nearly have everyone available,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith.

“And it has been coming together. We have got four wins a row and everyone is enjoying it.”

Jay Gurnell is set to make only his second appearance for Techs.

“He’s a new player who has not played for about five years,” said Bedford-Smith.

“He’s been in the marines and he’s 6ft 4in and fit. He played against Torquay and he got the man of the match. He can play back-row or second-row and he’s another jumper.

“It’s just good to have another player getting back into rugby.”

Also in Counties Three Devon South & West, Tamar Saracens are due to host Torquay Athletic II at the Parkway.

Their match with Kingsbridge II last weekend was postponed on the day, but they are hoping their pitch might be playable this Saturday.