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Rugby: Wessex coach pleased as his side start Devon One season in good form

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Wessex coach Dean Jeffery feels his side are in the best possible shape for the Devon One opener at home to Totnes this Saturday. Wins over New Cross and Topsham in the RFU National Vase have been the ideal preparation for league action. "They were two tough games and best of all we came through them without any serious injuries," said Jeffery. "Friendlies are fine up to a point – we had a useful one against Honiton – but you can't beat something with a competitive edge. "We have had two difficult games against local opposition and come through with flying colours." Wessex were 6-5 up at half-time against Topsham thanks to a couple of Andy Alderman penalties either side of a Ben Rudkin try. Tries by Sam Carpenter and John Horwill, plus an Alderman conversion, put Wessex into the Devon final of the Vase, where they will play Old Technicians. Topsham will want to put the derby defeat by Wessex behind them when they go to Plymouth Argaum in Devon One. Tops have happy memories of Bickleigh Down – they won 18-11 there in the final game last season to lift the Devon Junior Vase – but less than happy ones of the defeat by Wessex. "To be honest I am glad to be out of the national competition as we can concentrate on the league and the Devon Cup," said director of rugby Colin Milkins. "Availability is a problem for us and the more games we have to fit in the harder it becomes. "We had to make a number of changes against Wessex, which was not ideal against a side who are always up for it. "It was pretty clear some of our lads hadn't been training enough as they didn't know our plays and patterns. "Our line-out was shocking and our tacking terrible – the worst I can remember." Topsham should have a bit more direction outside with the return of Ricky Pellow at scrum-half. And the pack ought to be beefed up by the reappearance of Jack Knowles and Rupert Stanning.

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