CORNISH All Blacks joint head coach Ryan Westren expects a ‘completely different game’ when his side go in search of a third successive league win when they host Ivybridge in the South West Premier at Polson Bridge on Saturday (3pm).

A 20-14 success over Drybrook on December 14 was followed by a 19-17 victory at Exmouth seven days later, which has moved them three points clear of second bottom Bracknell in the race for survival, and within touching distance of Exmouth and Brixham.

Despite having a game more than the majority of their rivals, the All Blacks, along with Brixham, are hitting form at just the right time.

Westren said: “We’re itching to get back into it. We capped 2019 off with two brilliant wins, so hopefully we can take that momentum into the new year.”

When the two sides met at Cross-in-hand back in September, sixth-placed Ivybridge ran in 11 tries in a 69-14 success, against a Launceston side still coming to terms with Step Five rugby following promotion.

Since then, the Greens have struggled with injuries but have claimed some notable scalps on their travels, winning 15-12 at leaders Barnstaple and 36-33 at second-placed Maidenhead. Scoring tries isn’t a problem, their 366 points from 12 games is only bettered by Exeter University, however the Devon outfit have lost their last two on the road at Drybrook and Brixham.

But Westren expects it to be much closer this time around.

“It’s another redemption game in a way, like Exmouth was, so we have a score to settle. But we also aren’t the same team now as we were in the first month, so I expect a completely different game. We’ve shown that we can do it, like we did last time out at Exmouth, so we’ll be looking to do the same at home at Polson Bridge.

“There are some key differences from the reverse fixture with the grass pitch, potential overhead conditions and the feeling within our camp so we’ll be focusing on what we can control and making sure we get that bit right. If we do that it will put us in a good position to get the outcome we desire.”

While it remains to be seen whether the Christmas break will halt the Cornishmen’s momentum, Westren and fellow joint head coach Ian Goldsmith changed their usual routine of Tuesday and Thursday nights to Monday and Thursday this week to allow the squad to have New Year’s Eve off.

Westren said: “We will be training tomorrow (Monday) and making sure we get our heads straight back on. Training will be hugely orientated on getting very active, lots of ball in hand and lots of positivity. I’d like to think that coming off two wins the lads are chomping at the bit to get back out there and keep that feel good factor within the squad.”

With two wins and a draw from their last four matches and losing bonus points picked up at Bracknell and Camborne, the All Blacks are more than holding their own.

Westren said: “Our aim is to finish as high up as possible, take each week as it comes, worry about us and us only. As I’ve said before, if we get our stuff right and prepare correctly we’ll be putting ourselves in the best position to cement ourselves within the division.”Westren and fellow joint head coach Ian Goldsmith have named an unchanged side to the one that won at Exmouth.The only alteration sees Tom Sandercock return to the bench in place of Dom Mulberry who has gone travelling until February.Key prop Rikki Bentham again misses out with the back injury that kept him out for the three games prior to Christmas.Cornish All Blacks —Lang, Pearce, Edwards, Westren, Kneebone, Coles, Collings; Cinnamond, Bulut, Thomas, Bottoms, Clarke, Lightfoot, L Duke (captain), Rowley.Replacements: Bartlett, Gynn, Sandercock.