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Coaches comments
Barnstaple are a different animal to most of the teams we are going to play, last week we had several injuries but it was good to give young Harry Cane a shot.
The biggest pressure for us is our own pressure at this moment in time, We are in a position we would not want to be in early on in the season, but we are in it. But we had a really good session on Wednesday and eight new lads turned up. It shows people still want to be part of the club.

“ think that fixture last Wednesday (against the Royal Navy U23s) was really positive and it got people talking. We have had two or three military guys get in touch as they really liked the pace we brought to the game and want to be part of that.”

Being at home it is a different ball game in this league. We are a different animal at home, but I think all the lads need to realise that it is not just going to happen for them. Ivybridge for a long time were just able to do enough to stay up but the league is getting much more competitive now. I have said to the lads that they need to show up to stay up.

We have six back from last week and that’s massive. I have made some big calls. Some lads have being doing quite well but for this game we need, I’m not going to say our best as I don’t think we have found our best yet, but we need our most consistent 18 players.”

Charlie Briant, Kristian Davis, Sam Furse, Jamie Tripcony, Tom Scoles and Giles Clarke are among the players set to return, while Adam Northcott is set to start at hooker.

Games between Ivybridge and Brixham over the years have been quite competitive.

Of the 20 league meetings to date, Brixham have won 10 and Ivybridge eight, with two games ending in draws. The last meeting in January was equally tight, with Brixham just winning 25-24.

It is normally a game both clubs look forward to.

What I have noticed is that there has been a bit more bite to training this week, which is great,