Promotion is the goal for Brixham Rugby Club

After a 2023-2024 season which saw them finish third in the Tribute South West Regional One Division and suffer a narrow defeat in the Devon Cup Final, promotion is very much the aim for Brixham this time.
1st XV head coach Adam Thomas said in the Spring that National League level held no fears for the Fishermen, on or off the field, and words have been matched by action during the summer, with several additions to an already strong squad at Astley Park.
Versatile young front-row forward Harry Rodwell from Kingsbridge and back-row man Matt Bluck, all the way from New Zealand, are among the new faces as Brixham prepare to take on just-promoted St Austell at home in this Saturday's league opener.
Relegated Barnstaple away follows that one.
In Regional Two, Newton Abbot will not want a repeat of their worrying slump over the second half of last season, especially in their 150th season.
Plenty of eyes will be on Rackerhayes on Saturday for the first 'Teign Derby' against Teignmouth, who steadily improved in 2023 as their local rivals fell away.
Paignton played with admirable spirit during several defeats near the bottom of a competitive Counties One Western West - that division doesn't include top dogs Topsham and Cullompton any more - and the Cherries will surely improve under coach Martin Worthington.
After finishing second to Tavistock last season, Torquay Athletic will have an overdue promotion on their mind in the Counties Two Devon Division.
And the Tics also tackle 2023-2024 with a new and popular club president, John Widdecombe.
The former second-row forward was a fixture in many of the successful Rec' teams of the 1980s, when he also came close to an England cap during a spell with Newport.
The lower divisions feature more local derbies this weekend, between Dartmouth and Totnes and the 2nd XVs of Teignmouth and Newton Abbot at Bitton Park.
And Buckfastleigh Ramblers have relaunched themselves after several seasons of struggle and start with a home Counties Three game against Exeter Athletic.
Opening day (Sep 2) league fixtures for our local teams are: Regional One SW - Brixham v St Austell; Regional Two - Newton Abbot v Teignmouth; Counties One WW - Plymstock Albion Oaks v Paignton, Kingsbridge v Wiveliscombe; Counties Two Devon - Torquay Athletic v Ivybridge II; Counties Three SW - Salcombe v Torquay II, PAOaks II v Paignton II, Plympton Victoria v Brixham II, Dartmouth v Totnes; Counties Three NE - Teignmouth II v Newton Abbot II, Tiverton II v New Cross, Buckfastleigh Ramblers v Exeter Athletic.