DEVONPORT Services are keen to make home advantage tell as they host established National League campaigners Redruth at the Rectory on Saturday (2.30pm).
The two clubs got off to contrasting starts to the National Two West season last weekend.
Services were beaten 53-17 away at former level three side Taunton Titans, while Redruth hammered Bournville 61-10 in Cornwall.
“We are looking forward to our first game at home. It is a big one and the lads know they need to put in a performance,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.
“We can’t have it like two years ago when we went eight games on the bounce without winning.
“We need to pick up some wins and points as quick as possible.
“Not only do you need wins but you also need try bonus points.”
Russell felt there were plenty of positives from their opening day performance at Taunton, despite the scoreline.
“All the lads looked at the footage of last week’s game against Taunton and we did show that when we had the ball, we had them in a bit of trouble,” he said. “We should have been a couple of more tries up than we were.”
He added: “We’ve previewed Redruth and they played very well against Bournville. They were physical and direct.”
Services are hoping for a big crowd to mark their first home match.
“Redruth will probably bring a few people up, especially after winning last week.”
Devonport have lost the services of influential prop Oli Symons for the rest of the season as he is joining the army, which Russell admits is a ‘massive’ loss.
They also have Henry Clement away and George Pooley unavailable, but they are able to welcome back centres Dan Lilley and Shaun Crawford who missed last week’s match at Taunton.
With Clement unavailable, Ben Sharp will start at scrum-half with youngster Ben Whysall coming on to the bench. In the pack, Finn White is handed a start in the back-row.
Elsewhere, other community clubs around the region are continuing to build up for the start of the new season with more warm-up matches.
On Friday night, Tavistock travel to North Tawton, while on Saturday, Plymstock Oaks have a double header against Saltash and Tamar Saracens. Their first team will play Saltash (3.30pm), while their seconds will host Sarries (2pm).
OPMs will entertain Ivybridge II at King George V Playing fields (12noon), while Plympton Victoria will host New Cross at St Mary’s Field (2pm) and Old Techs will travel to Liskeard-Looe (2.30pm).