Injury worries for Bideford ahead of Torrie showdown

By arjones

BIDEFORD fear a lengthening injury list will level the playing field for Saturday's derby clash with Torrington

Eight places and 11 points separate the rivals in Tribute Cornwall/Devon, but it is likely to be a good, old-fashioned formbook-out-of-the-window derby at King George's Field (2.30pm).

Fourth-placed Bideford go into the game on a six-game winning streak in the league but licking their wounds from a bruising Devon Intermediate Cup defeat to Crediton at the weekend.

Having rested a few first-teamers carrying injuries, the Chiefs saw another half a dozen take knocks in Mid Devon.

Captain and fly-half Andrew Mackenzie-Shapland plus forwards Jamie Giddy and Jim Tarr are among those doubtful for Saturday's clash.

Torrie are unlikely to be at full strength themselves but will at least be well rested after their home game against Teignmouth was postponed for the second week running.

Mackenzie-Shapland said: "We're pretty nervous about it because we're laden with injuries.

"Torrington will be quite happy to hear that. They are probably all fit and raring to go while we are counting the people who can play.

"In normal context we would be confident that we should be favourites, but the fact we are going into it with a lot of injuries, to senior players as well, is going to level it up.

"We're very wary of the threat they pose. It's the one game of the season in which they throw everything at it — it's their cup final, it means absolutely everything. We have got other things on our mind."

Torrie would say they have other things on their mind too — they are determined to keep their Cornwall/Devon status — but are still likely to hit their hosts hard.

Captain Adrian Avery said: "Bideford are not our main focus this season — survival is.

"It's a huge game but there are still just two points out there to be played for, two points that we really need. We're looking to get points from anyone, whether that's OPM or Bideford.

"They're doing well in the league and they're not going to want to slip up against Torrington, but they will know they have been in a game.

"I've never beaten them but we've certainly put the wind up them a few times.

"We've got a couple of knocks ourselves but that all goes out the window, it's like a cup match — a one-off. We've got nothing to lose."