RUGBY PREVIEW: Now the serious stuff starts for Brixham
The serious stuff starts tomorrow for Brixham when they host Barnstaple in a National Three South West derby.
The Fisherman could not have wished for a much better start after promotion – four wins in five starts and a share of fifth spot with Exmouth.
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Only Redingensians have beaten Brixham, who responded by beating Amersham 77-17 and Avonmouth 32-22.
Coach Dan Parkes said Brixham have had a great start, but that is all it is so far.
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"No doubt about it we have had a fantastic start, but some of the opposition has been from the bottom half of the table," said Parkes.
"The next six weeks will tell us a lot more about ourselves as we've got Barnstaple [seventh], Weston [top], London Irish Amateurs [second] and Exmouth. Those games will be a lot closer than most of the games we have had, at least I hope they will be."
Chey Brice returns at hooker for Brixham, who include Andy Knight on the flank for his first start of the season. The gifted Tom McLean is out with an ankle injury, but new arrival Matt Crosscombe is a tailor-made replacement.
Barnstaple, comfortably beaten at Weston last time out, should be stronger for the return of wing Linford Brock and prop Mark Berry.
It is a while since the two sides have crossed swords other than in cup games, but director of rugby Squire has been doing his homework.
"Brixham have done well under Dan Parkes to get where they are and are going well," said Squire. "Dan was uncompromising as a player – he likes things done properly – and will be looking at us as a prized scalp. Our players will be working hard to ensure that does not happen."
Newton Abbot host leaders Weston on the back of runaway wins over Maidenhead and Malvern. Weston will be tougher, but director of rugby Roy Henderson does not see the easy wins as a handicap.
"Without a doubt our boys are full of confidence with the ball in hand and used to finding their way to the try line," said Henderson.
Flanker James Head and centre Stephen Ward are added to the squad, Josh Vickridge and Jake Monnington drop down to the 2nd XV.
Exmouth – at home to Amersham – are unlikely to make many changes from the side that won at Redingensians.
Lock Stuart Lowe has had his broken teeth dealt with.
Taunton are away to Southend in National Two South looking for their first win in three starts. Defeats by Shelford then leaders Henley Hawks have left the Titans three off the bottom.
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