DEVONPORT Services head coach Ben Russell has described Saturday’s home game against third-from-bottom Bournville as a ‘must-win’ match (2.30pm).

Services currently sit at the foot of National Two West and are still looking for their first win of the season after nine games.

Bournville are nine points ahead of them, with a win and a draw to their name, although they have yet to taste a victory on their travels.

“It is must-win,” said Russell. “We are at home; we are one of only two teams that have not won and we are playing a team who are around us.

“They are one of the teams that we have to chase.

“If we don’t win this one at home, then it will make it a hell of a lot harder for us.”

Two years ago when Services were last in the league, Bournville won both meetings of the clubs. The Midlands club triumphed 47-29 in the final match of the season at the Rectory and 40-22 at their place on the opening day.

“They are like they were two years ago – they fight for everything, they are big and they are physical,” said Russell.

“We just have to match that and then see what we can bring.”

Services, though, have not been helped by losing two key forwards until probably Christmas.

Second-row Lewis Woolaway injured his knee last weekend and flanker Liam Jarvis suffered a small fracture in his ankle.

Fellow forward Finn White also picked up concussion last Saturday, but Services could have Royal Navy forward Lewis Roxby available for the first time, while fit-again Kyle Felton could return to the first team squad.

In the backs, Dan Goldstone is away and Henry Gliddon and Fergus Wood are still injured, but Henry Clement is back.

REGIONAL TWO SOUTH WEST

SECOND-placed Ivybridge are expecting a tough battle when they make the trip to Devon rivals Okehampton on Saturday.

The two clubs have played out a host of close matches in recent years.

Last season both fixtures could have gone either way, with Ivybridge winning 29-21 at home and 26-21 away. That was their first win at the Showground since 2013.

“I think last season was the first time we had won there in something like 10 years,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Atkinson.

“This is a game we are really looking forward to.

“The boys have had a nice little break and should be right up for it.

“I think they (Okehampton) always fancy themselves at home.

“But we’ll go up with a good attitude and see what we can do.”

Second-placed Ivybridge have only lost one game so far this term – away at Wadebridge.

Okehampton currently sit in sit in sixth spot with three wins and three defeats to their name.

Ivybridge do have Joe Owen available again after he missed their last match against Winscombe. He is set to return to number eight.

Seb Musgrave also comes back into the first team line-up in the pack, while in the backs Matt Skeemer returns for George Vertessy.

Scott Puleston and Ben Winters are named on the bench after impressing for the second team against Torquay Athletic II last weekend.

CUP GAMES

THERE are no scheduled league games for teams at levels seven and below, but there are a number of Plymouth Combination cup matches taking place this weekend.

Counties Three Devon South & West side Tamar Saracens are expecting a good test when they visit Counties Two Cornwall outfit Liskeard-Looe on Saturday in the Lockie Cup.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Saracens’ Pete Lethbridge. “They are a league above us in Counties Two Cornwall, so it will be a good challenge for us.

“We have got a fairly strong squad. We have a few coming back from injury and we will be taking 20 down.

“The boys have trained well this week and we’ll just go over to Cornwall and see what we can do.

“It’s just nice to play a different team not in our league.

“We are just going to go there and play the game. If we win, we win, if we don’t, we don’t. We just want a game having not played last week. We just want to try and keep the momentum going.”

Unbeaten Counties Two Devon leaders Plymstock Oaks should have been playing unbeaten lower league side Old Techs also in the Lockie Cup, but that match has been cancelled.

OPMs, who sit fourth in Counties Two Devon, are due to host lower league Plymouth Argaum at King George V Playing Fields also in the Lockie Cup (2pm). However, Argaum are struggling to get a team with a host of key players unavailable.

OPMs II are also due to be at home to Plymstock Oaks II in the Ellis Trophy (1.30pm).

Plympton Victoria are also in Ellis Trophy action as they host the University of Plymouth III at St Mary’s Field.

“We have managed to scrape together a team,” said Plym Vic chairman Chris Hunt.

“We are determined to play it as it gives us two bites of the cherry. If we win, we progress in the Ellis, but if we lose we go into the Pedrick Cup.”

He added: “We don’t really know what the university will come with, we’ll just have to see.

“We’ll just go out there and perform our best.”

Another Ellis Trophy game is due to be played at Sandy Park where Tavistock II are set to host Devonport Services III (2.30pm), but Saltash II have been handed a walkover by the Medics.