Match Preview

Straight from the Plymouth Sports Gazette - https://plymouthsportsgazette.com

TAMAR Saracens have not had the best preparations for their first Devon One home match of the season against David Butt Trophy winners South Molton.

After last week’s abandonment against New Cross for a mass bawl they are facing a disciplinary hearing on Monday, they have also been docked five points for failing to fulfil a fixture towards the end of last season and have lost the services of back-row forwards Mike Cox and Scott Cooper.

Cox has been suspended by the club for picking up a red card last weekend, while Devon under-18 forward Cooper has left the Devon One outfit to join some of his county team-mates at Devonport Services.

“It is a bit disappointing to lose another player to Devonport Services,” said Tamar Saracens coach Chey Bryce.

“We are also without Mike Cox this week, so we have lost two players who are quite influential in our pack, but we do have James McFarlane returning. He will add a bit of size and bolster our pack a bit.”

Bryce is confident the players can put everything behind them and try and get a big home win over South Molton, who surprisingly lost 13-12 at home to Topsham last Saturday.

“We are looking forward to the weekend,” said Bryce.

“We were quite shocked by their (South Molton’s) result last week. I think they are going to come down all guns blazing. After hearing what happened in our game, I think they are going to be well up for it.

“The fact that Dartmouth have already come down and beat us on our own patch, they are going to fancy their chances. It is going to be a big test for the boys.

“I am hoping our boys front up and meet their players head-on.

“I have heard they are quite a forward-dominant team and I hope our forwards can set a platform. I think our backs will be able to cause them some trouble.

“We are looking forward to it.”