DEVONPORT Services face the first of two massive matches in the space of seven days on Saturday that could decide their Regional One South West title hopes.
This weekend the league leaders make the trip to fourth-placed Exmouth, who have already beaten them at their place in the Devon Cup, before hosting title rivals Topsham at the Rectory next week.
With just five games of the league season remaining, Services know they cannot afford to slip up with Topsham just two points behind them and with the chasing side having four home games still to play.
Services also know that Exmouth are one of the teams that can upset anybody, especially on their own pitch.
The east Devon club have had some eye-catching home results this term, including beating Brixham 43-12.
Services beat them 21-10 at home at the start of November but then lost 30-20 to them in the Devon Senior Cup semi-final seven days later at the Imperial Ground.
“We beat them at home in the league but then lost the following week away in the cup,” said Services head coach Ben Russell. “We did have quite a few boys missing for the cup game.
“But as we have said for years, on their day, they (Exmouth) can beat anyone.
“They have a really good squad, a big old pack, and if we don’t meet them physically then it will be a tough day at the office.
“We know they have got a good scrum and set piece, so it’s a big game.
“And we then have Topsham to come the week after, which could be a winner-takes-all game.”
With a possibly season-defining seven days coming up for both their first and second teams, Russell is pleased to have a host of players back in contention.
Backs Dan Lilley, Charlie Groves and George Pooley are all back and are set to feature in the first team game at Exmouth, while Harrison Coonick is set to get a run-out in the second team this weekend after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
“We are near enough as strong as we can be, which is good,” said Russell.
“But it does mean a couple of boys are going to miss out for the ones from the Matson game.”
However, Services’ second team also have a massive match at the top of Counties Two Devon as they title rivals Topsham II.
Richard West is set to make his 150th appearance for Services on Saturday, while Matt Gregory will be making his 350th appearance.
REGIONAL TWO SOUTH WEST
IVYBRIDGE have a chance to move back into a play-off position on Saturday when they visit second-from-bottom Cullompton.
The Bridgers dropped out of the top five last weekend after they lost to Crediton, who moved one point above them.
But Crediton have a tough game against second-placed Tiverton this week and fourth-placed Okehampton have a tricky trip to Penzance-Newlyn, so there is a chance for Ivybridge to possibly make some ground.
However, they know they cannot just take a win at Cullompton for granted.
“When we played them here, I think they got two quick tries at the end,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.
“They know how to play rugby so we will not be taking them lightly at all. We wouldn’t take anyone in this league lightly as it is a really competitive league.”
He added: “I don’t normally look at the fixtures, but I did actually look this week and there is a chance for us to crawl a bit back.
“And we have got really good availability this week.”
Scrum-half James Cantin is away this week, but Giles Clarke is back from army so he will take over a nine.
Number eight Joe Owen picked up a knock to his shin last week and is going to be rested, so Seb Musgrave will take over at the back of the scrum with Alex Garner set to keep his spot in the pack.
Second-year colt Fynn Reeves, who can cover a host of positions in the backs, is likely to be named on the bench.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
THERE is a massive match at Horsham Fields on Saturday where Plymstock Oaks host Plymouth Combination rivals Saltash (2.30pm).
Both clubs find themselves in the bottom three of the division, with Oaks third from bottom and Saltash currently sitting at the foot of the standings.
The Ashes are seven points behind Oaks, but they do have a game in hand. However, they do really need to win on Saturday to give themselves hope of getting out of the bottom three.
With fourth-from-bottom Torquay Athletic playing second-from-bottom Penryn, it could be a crucial weekend in the battle to avoid the drop.
“It’s a strange one really as we don’t expect to be here,” said Oaks coach Mike Lewis.
“We said it at the start of the season, that every team can beat every team and it has just made this league so competitive.
“I feel like we could be fourth in the league, however, we are third from bottom and probably Saltash and Penryn will say the same thing.
“I think we are just five per cent off being a top four team, but so is everyone else in the league. That’s why it has made it so competitive and tough this year.
“And because of how tough and competitive it is, we’ve picked up a few injuries recently just because people are having to work their socks off just to get a win, even against teams near the bottom.
“In some leagues, teams dominate teams at the bottom, but not in this league. It is the weirdest season I’ve known.”
Oaks did beat Saltash 40-29 in a thriller of a match at Moorlands Lane at the start of November. Saltash were winning going into injury-time, but they picked up two cards and Oaks came back to win.
Lewis said: “We beat them away and we know we have an arsenal of players that will take some beating at home, but it’s just about being in the right mind-set on Saturday.
“That last game did ebb and flow and was a bit of a nail-biter. We believe we could have won it by more and they will believe they could have won the game.
“You could easily flip a coin on this game just because it’s a derby, but at the same time there is so much riding on it. I doubt there will be more than 10 points either way.”
Oaks are hoping for a big crowd. They do have a lot going on at the club on Saturday.
At 10.30am there is a memorial game for Alfie Tollett at 10.30am, then the colts are playing in the semi-finals of the Devon Shield against Exeter Athletic at 12.30pm and then the first and second teams are in action at 2.30pm.
“There is also a VPs and sponsors’ day so there should be a good couple of hundred people from our side watching the senior game and I’m sure Saltash might bring over a few,” said Lewis.
Saltash were boosted last weekend with the likes of Fin Jones, Ryan Rayner and Tom Rixson returning to action for their second team. They are not involved in the first team this week, but Will Morton, Todd Crofts, Lewis Wells and Lewis Woolaway are back in their squad, while Ryan Cruickshanks is due to make his return for the second team this weekend.
COUNTIES TWO DEVON
THERE is also a big derby game in Counties Two Devon where eighth-placed OPMs host 10th-placed Tavistock.
Tavistock are desperate for a win to boost their hopes of staying in the division, with second-from-bottom Ivybridge II just three points behind them.
“It is a big game and I think we owe them one,” said OPMs head coach James Digweed. “I felt we were unlucky to lose to them at their place.
“We also want to put a big marker down for the remainder of the games this season.
“Leigh Puttock used to the be the head coach at OPMs as well, so it will be nice to see him again, but we do owe them one.”
Puttock said: “OPMs will bring their usual physicality and structure so it’s about accuracy, discipline and taking our opportunities when they come.
“If we front up physically and stick together for the full 80, we will give ourselves every chance.”
He added: “It has been a tough week in the selection room, and, once again, injuries have had their say.
“Jai Popplewell picked up an ankle injury while representing the Royal Navy Mariners and will White is sidelined with a shoulder issue.
“On top of that, a number of lads are unavailable due to work and personal commitments, including our Royal Marine boys who are currently deployed.”
Puttock continued: “The reality is we are where we are in the league because we haven’t found consistency, either in selection or performance.
“You hear teams say they didn’t deserve to lose or point to one moment that cost them the game, but I strongly believe that rugby is the one sport where, across 80 minutes, you get exactly what you deserve. That honestly has to drive us forward.
“The positive this week is the return of some strong players who will absolutely bolster the squad.
“You can see and feel the lift in the group when certain names are mentioned. Competition brings energy – and we need that.”
Martin Budden, Liam Watts, Jack Rock, Dan Radstone and Charlie Charlton are among those that are set to return, but Calum Baker, Tylo Coupland, Toby Teague and Chris Watts are among those likely to be missing.
If Tavistock fail to win, then Ivybridge II could overtake them as they host winless bottom side Dartmouth at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday.
“If we could get a five-point win and OPMs beat Tavvy then that would really help us out,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.
Ivybridge II had to work hard for a 20-17 win against Dartmouth earlier in the season but their form since then has picked up, although they were heavily beaten by a strong Devonport Services II side in their last outing.
The next two weeks will be crucial for Ivybridge II as after this weekend’s game against Dartmouth they visit Tavistock next Saturday.
At the other end of the table, leaders Devonport Services II could take a massive step towards the title if they could beat second-placed Topsham II at the Rectory.
Topsham and third-placed Bideford are six points behind Services II, but both have played a game more.
Services II are set to be boosted by the return of backs Charlie Over and Harrison Coonick, who will be making his comeback from a lengthy injury.
Saturday will be one of six home games Services II have left from their remaining eight fixtures.
COUNTIES THREE DEVON SOUTH & WEST
OLD TECHS’ six-game winning run will be put to the test on Saturday when they travel to leaders Brixham II.
Techs’ last defeat came at the end of November and their good form since them has seen them move up to third in the table.
But they will take on a Brixham II side who seem certain to win the title, with a 16-point lead at the top. They have also not lost at home yet this season.
“We’ve not played for three weeks, which isn’t ideal,” said Old Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith. “But a lot of teams have been in the same situation.
“We have got good availability for an away game, but we know we are going to be the underdogs, however sometimes we like that.
“I don’t know when Brixham II last lost at home so it will be a big challenge.
“We didn’t do very well up there last year. We had a poor second half, but we know that can happen against them.
“They will know what we will bring and we know what they will bring, but we just need a really big defensive effort.”
Techs did make Brixham work hard for a 33-20 win back in November and they did win at Astley Park towards the end of the 2023-24 season.
Tamar Saracens will be hoping to upset second-placed Paignton II when they host the south Devon side at the Parkway on Saturday.
Sarries have only played twice in 2026 due to the weather and they will want a better performance than their last outing when they lost to Plymouth Argaum 31-10 on February 14.
They are comfortably in mid-table, but will want to try and end their rebuilding season on a high.
There will be a bottom-of-the-table derby match at Horsham Fields were Plymstock Oaks II host Kingsbridge II.
The game is set to be refereed by Devonport Services prop Rikki Bentham, who has decided to try his hand as an official after picking up a serious injury.
Oaks II should be favourites as Kingsbridge II have yet to pick up a win this season.
Meanwhile, fellow strugglers Plympton Victoria have a tricky trip to Salcombe.
Salcombe have struggled a bit with availability this season but when they have been strong they have proved a match for most teams in the league and have beaten Old Techs and Tamar Saracens at home and only lost by one point to Plymouth Argaum.
Argaum are not in league action this weekend, but they are due to play the Medics at Weston Mill in the Lockie Cup.
In Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II are due to host Illogan Park at Moorlands Lane.