NORTH DEVON Raiders will have to prove themselves fast learners when rugby league arrives in the region on Sunday.

After only four weeks of training, the Raiders will take on a side beginning their fourth season in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference, reigning South West Division champions Devon Sharks.

For many of the home players, it will be their first 13-a-side game.

Raiders spokesman Keith Fillingham said: "The bad winter weather meant the rugby union season has carried on longer than usual and impacted on the Raiders along with most of the other clubs in the Conference this year."

Seven Raiders players turned out for Devon Bluesox at the South West Nines in Exeter on Monday.

Among them were Will Topps, who scored four tries as the Bluesox finished seventh.

Fillingham said: "The South West Nines showed that we have some talented league players in our ranks such as Will Topps, Jad Mottram and Ben Macdonald.

"Hopefully they will be complemented on Sunday by some latecomers who have finished their union commitments."

Raiders player-coach Ben Parry will skipper the side against Torquay team Sharks after missing the Nines through work commitments.

The game, at Barnstaple's Pottington Road, kicks off at 2.30, with gates open at 1.45pm.

The entry fee is £2 and £1 for members, accompanied under-16s can get in free.

There will be a bar and food available, and a programme will be on sale at £1.

Fillingham said: "We hope the North Devon public will come along to support the Raiders as we try to introduce an exciting summer sport to the area.

"I have no expectations of what will happen on the field but I do know that every one of the players in the blue and yellow of the Raiders will be giving their all come kick-off."

Topps, Mottram and Macdonald were joined by fellow Raiders Tom Pearce, Dan Douglas, Nico Casanova and Jose Casanova in Exeter.

Topps, a former Barnstaple union player who turned out for Bridgwater and Albion in National League Two South this season, scored four tries but could not help the Bluesox record a victory.

The tournament was won by Exeter University, who beat Exeter Centurions 46-6 in the final.

South West Nines — group A: Devon Bluesox 8 Somerset Vikings 12, Exeter University 36 Devon Bluesox 10, Exeter Saracens 34 Devon Bluesox 4.

6th/7th place play-off: Exeter University 2nds 36 Devon Bluesox 10.