COACHLESS Teignmouth — still getting over Chris Aggett's resignation earlier in the week — commence their season in the Cornwall & Devon Division with a home game against Liskeard-Looe.

If Teignmouth can start this season the way they finished the last one, they will be up among the front runners from the word go.

Teignmouth's handicap in 2009-10 was a nightmare September, which has come back to haunt them again.

Losing Aggett is a further blow on top if others which have ruled out a number of players until October.

The Teigns have also lost full-back Dan Force, who played for Devon in last season's County Championship and has decided to test himself several levels higher with Newton Abbot.

Bob Farrell, the Teignmouth vice-chairman and a record-breaking points scorer as a player, said he hoped history won't be repeating itself.

"There are players out for the first month, we've got Colin Aldworth coming back slowly from knee surgery and we are also looking for a new coach," said Farrell.

"I don't think we won a game last September — and when you look back 12 months on that cost us dearly.

"We had a great run either side of Christmas when we won eight on the trot and finished fifth — which included having two points knocked off for playing in unregistered player.

"If you say we had won three games in September and hadn't had the points deduction, we would have finished second and gone up. That's the difference a good start can make."

Ivan Pitman and Will Sowden are among the players absent tomorrow. In a reshuffled back line Matt Moses plays for Pitman at 10 and Callum Coach goes on the wing.

TOTNES are eager for their first taste of Cornwall & Devon rugby, which they get when Crediton visit the Borough Park tomorrow.

Totnes only lost two league games on their way to promotion last season, reaching their highest level so far in 24 years of league rugby.

There is no fear of the unknown at Totnes though — just a desire to get the first match played.

"We had a great season last year, winning promotion and getting to the Devon Junior Cup final, and the buzz hasn't died down yet," said club captain Mark Hooper.

"Everyone is aware this is going to be big boys rugby and we will be playing good sides every week.

"There is some real quality in the division in teams like Bideford, Crediton, St Austell and the rest.

"For us it is a bit of an adventure; a rugby experience to be enjoyed.

"We will be playing lots of teams we don't know and going to ground we have never played on. It is something to look forward to and we are all excited about it."

Totnes have lured No.8 Alex Smith back from Ivybridge after two years away, and have brought Thomas Edmonds back from Torquay Athletic go bolster their front row.

Edmonds is the son of former 1st XV captain Mike Edmonds who, along with wife Lorraine, was made a club life member at the end of last season.

From further afield Totnes have recruited Tim Martin — an ex-American footballer — and Kieran Watts, a lock forward who has been playing in Bristol for Old Colstonians.

Lost to the cause are utility back Phil Atkins (retired) and full-back Ollie Tregelles, who has a knee injury.