After a long wait Weston and Hornets have both been given the green light to return to South West Premier action with the release of the 2021-22 season fixtures.
Weston will travel to Dorset to take on Bournemouth while Hornets entertain Ivybridge on September 4 at The Nest.
Weston then host Ivybridge a week later at The Recreational Ground before Hornets travel to Devon to take on Okehampton.
And just like for first day of the season both sides will take on the same clubs on the final day on April 23.
The coronavirus pandemic saw the 2020-21 season wiped out but both clubs had fantastic campaigns in 2019-20.
Weston finished in their highest league position since the early 2000s as Hornets secured promotion and a place back in the South West Premier for the first first time since 2018.
“We did really well that year we had a fantastic year and a fantastic group of players,” said Weston head coach Darren Crompton.
“I think we have actually got a bit stronger. We lost a few to Clifton but they haven’t played at all but we’ve got a load of young lads, a couple of new props, new centres turned up and they have really enjoyed the training so they come from other clubs and they like the set-up.
"Between myself and Dan Lomax we are looking to bring people on and make them progress.
“It will be a tough year, we will see how it pans out over pre-season. Obviously the boys haven’t had any form of contact for nearly a year and a half.
“We are going to have to condition them to get them back to match ready. But everyone is in the same boat.”
Hornets head coach Richardson added: “Looking at the league it’s a daunting prospect really, there are some very big established teams in that league.
“We are up to the challenge but we are under no illusions of the size of the task. It’s going to be a very exciting season for us to be playing against those teams again.
“We’ve already started our pre-season, the squad is looking strong, we are looking interested, we can’t wait to get going.
“These 10 weeks can’t go quick enough until we we get to our first pre-season games.”
But the game on the calendar everyone is anticipating and the first of two matches played between the two sides will be held on December 11 at The Nest, while the return fixture will take place on April 9 at The Recreational Ground.
“It’s the biggest game, the first one everyone looks for but I’m sure Weston will be the same. It’s not the be-all and end-all in the league campaign by any means for either of us,” added Richardson.
“It’s a massive games in terms of it being a local derby. It’s no more important than any other game for us really as in playing wise.
“It’s huge for both clubs, in revenue as in terms of getting ourselves out there. We will hugely look forward to it, it’s always a massive occasion.”
Crompton continued: “They (Hornets) will be strong it will be highly contested and the Colts played them just after lockdown at our place and won 8-7.
“There was a lot of people down watching. It’s interesting and it’s really good for the town.
“It is a local derby so they will be keen and so will we. It’s good for numbers down at the club and then the return fixture for them, there is a little bit of revenue.”
Full Fixtures List:
September 4: Hornets v Ivybridge; Bournemouth v Weston
September 11: Okehampton v Hornets, Weston v Ivybridge
September 18: Hornets v Launceston; Brixham v Weston
September 25: Old Centralians v Hornets; Weston v Okehampton
October 2: Hornets v Old Redcliffians; Camborne v Weston
October 9: Royal Wootton Bassett v Hornets; Weston v Launceston
October 23: Hornets v Bournemouth; Drybrook v Weston
October 30: Brixham v Hornets; Weston v Old Centralians
November 6: Hornets v Camborne; Exeter University v Weston
November 20: Drybrook v Hornets; Weston v Old Redcliffians
November 27: Hornets v Exeter University; Exmouth v Weston
December 4: Exmouth v Hornets; Weston v Royal Wootton Bassett
December 11: Hornets v Weston
December 18: Hornets v Okehampton; Ivybridge v Weston
January 8: Launceston v Hornets; Weston v Brixham
January 15: Hornets v Old Centralians; Okehampton v Weston
January 22: Old Redcliffians v Hornets; Weston v Camborne
January 29: Hornets v Royal Wootton Bassett; Launceston v Weston
February 12: Bournemouth v Hornets; Weston v Drybrook
February 19: Hornets v Brixham; Old Centralians v Weston
March 5: Camborne v Hornets; Weston v Exeter University
March 12: Hornets v Drybrook; Old Redcliffians v Weston
March 26: Exeter University v Hornets; Weston v Exmouth
April 2: Hornets v Exmouth; Royal Wootton Bassett v Weston
April 9: Weston v Hornets
April 23: Ivybridge v Hornets; Weston v Bournemouth
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