PRE-season has been a settling-in time for Ivybridge RFC as the South West Two season comes into sight.

Ivybridge get up and running in the league on September 26 with a home game against Tiverton, who went all the way to the promotion play-offs last season.

Steve Atkinson, the head coach at Ivybridge, said preparations so far have been phased to build-up towards the big kick-off.

“We’ve managed to play four pre-season games so far, I think that’s probably more than most clubs which will hopefully give us a little advantage,” said Atkinson.

“We were very rusty in the first game, but put some good stuff together in the next three.

“Our final game is against Sidmouth this Saturday, which will be a great test as we’ve largely been playing club games so far.”

Ivybridge did play external opposition on Saturday when the Vandals 2nd XV won 24-15 away to Devon One side Old Plymothians.

Jack Guyer, Owen Alp, Cam Wallace and Angus Harris were the try scorers. Matt Grieveson added two conversions.

“We went with a couple of lads who will be potential first-teamers due to availability and then predominantly Vandals lads,” said Atkinson.

“It was good to get some combinations together instead of playing mixed games.”

Although Ivybridge have lost a couple of players to higher-level clubs – Max Ward and Fynn Reeves to Services, Dan Gloyns to Brixham – news on the movement front is positive.

Cam Wallace, a hooker from Plymouth University, has been joined in the dressing room by prop James Thompson from Newton Abbot, Tris Lark, a back-rower previously living in Gibraltar, and back-three player Ben Scott, who has returned from University.

“We are looking ok for numbers,” said Atkinson.

“If we pick up four or five injuries then we’ll have to look at shifting lads around but at the moment I think we’re looking ok.

“Everyone is buzzing for the season to start. The lads just want to get back to league rugby and seeing what both sides can do this season?”

The Vandals start the Devon One season with a South Hams derby against Kingsbridge A.