DEVONPORT Services head coach Ben Russell was happy with his side’s first pre-season run-out on Thursday evening as they beat old rivals Brixham 35-12 in a full 80-minute contest at Keyham.
Services, preparing for a return to National Two West, used 28 players in the competitive fixture with the Fisherman.
“It was just what we needed,” said Russell afterwards.
“We had some good battles with Brixham last year – they beat us both times last season – so we wanted to have this one and it was good.
“There is always an intensity and physicality when we play each other.
“It was exactly what we needed, and we got to use 28 players – and we had quite a few boys missing – so I was really happy.
“We are in a good spot at the minute. We’ve got a very competitive squad. We have a lot of new faces who have bought into it right from the off.
“Was it perfect? No, but defensively second half we were banging.”
Four of Services five tries came from good counter-attacking moves.
“It was just that little bit of detail that was missing at certain times, but when we did get it right, we scored some absolutely lovely tries,” added Russell.
Regional One South West side Brixham took the lead in the opening three minutes when the impressive Jason Capaldi scored following a five-metre line-out.
But Services replied almost immediately with young scrum-half Ben Whysall scoring under the posts after a great run and off-load from lock Mike Rickard. Sam Brown added the conversion to make it 7-5.
That became 14-5 in the 23rd minute when Charlie Groves scored a wonderful try. He broke down the left before kicking forward. Shaun Crawford won the race to the ball and gathered it before off-loading back to Groves as he was tackled.
Brixham did get a second try four minutes later when hooker Harry Rodwell scored from a catch-and-drive move.
Not to be out-done, Liam Jarvis then scored a similar try at the other end to give Services a 21-12 half-time lead.
The only downside in the first half was what looked like a serious injury to Devonport forward Ethan Millard.
Services made a great start to the second half with scrum-half replacement Ben Sharp going over under the posts after another great run through the middle by Rickard.
After that the game lost its way a bit, with loads of changes and knock-ons.
But Devonport finished on a high, with player-coach Crawford running in a try from deep after winning the race to a kick over the top and then showing good speed to avoid a number of tackles to score.