BUCKFASTLEIGH will be pausing for a moment before their Barrie Cup game against Salcombe at Silver Street to remember Andy Rowe.

Rowe, a former player, died earlier this year and the club hasn't had a proper chance to pay their tributes since.

As a veteran of many battles with Salcombe for the 1920s tea urn known as the Barrie Cup, it seemed an appropriate to honour him at this match.

The cup has been contested between the sides in memory of the late Dr Barrie for nearly 90 years. Last season's game was not played due to fixture congestion at Salcombe.

For both teams it will be their final run out before their league programmes start in eight days time.

Bucks face Devonport High School while Salcombe are away to OPMs.

Salcombe have had an interesting close season with a number of players picking up injuries, either in training or otherwise.

Jamie Leban (back), new captain Darren Hopkins (concussion), Simon Keen (knee) and Nick Trant, who was in a motorbike accident, all miss the big kick-off.

Former captain Neil Elliott has retired due to a knee injury and joined the new coaching team headed up by Mark Lidstone.

The Bucks have signed back-row Jack Andrews from Newton Abbot Colts and recruited wing Carl Neilson and centre Paul Hurst locally.

Veteran forward Geoff Perkins has been lured out of retirement while lock Andy Churchill has been persuaded to play on for one more season, rather than hang his boots up.

NEW Cross have been given a walk-over by Salcombe in the Level Nine National, which leaves them free to fulfil a previously arranged friendly at Dartmouth.

Details of the competition draw were only announced late last week, well after Salcombe had agreed to play Buckfastleigh in the Barrie Cup game held over from last season.

For New Cross it is a win-win situation as they are through to the cup second round — and a date with either OPM or Wessex — and they get to have one more warm-up before the serious stuff starts at Tamar Saracens a week tomorrow.

New Cross have named a squad for the game, which includes new recruits James Ford at lock and Dean Churchfield on the wing.

With Ford installed in the row, Tim Prowse is freed to have a trial run-out at No.8 with a view to making a permanent switch.

Jamie Mercer, who missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury, is in at flanker.