MALVERN RFC's home victory over Stoke confirmed their Midlands One promotion play-off game at Market Bosworth tomorrow (Saturday).

A delighted David Robins, Malvern's director of rugby, said: "The lads knew that Stoke would be difficult to crack. They are a well-coached side and a few changes possibly upset our rhythm slightly. Steve Ott stepped into the breach at stand-off but obviously couldn't have quite the same understanding with the other midfielders. However, once again he showed his versatility and his defensive work was exemplary.

"Our man-of-the-match was hooker Alex Wenden. At not yet a 20-year-old, he has grown in stature throughout the season and put in a terrific performance."

Looking forward to the play-off game at Market Bosworth, Robins said: "We will be up against a side which boasts, we believe, ex-Leicester Lions and Leicester Academy players. They only lost two games all campaign and lost out on top spot purely on points' difference.

"The players are determined to get the club back into Midlands One and the game is a one-off chance to do so, it will be like a cup final. We ask all rugby supporters in Malvern to make the trip. There will be a supporters' bus, and it's only an hour by car.

"The lads have played some tremendous rugby this season and deserve to be cheered on by as big a crowd as we can muster."

Team for tomorrow (Saturday)

Market Bosworth (Away). Bus at Spring Lane 11am, opposite Ketch hotel 11.30am. Kick-off 2.45pm. No 1 dress code. M Richardson (Capt), A Wenden, S Lancett, A Ruddock, C Smith, N Smith, N Richardson, J Hynes J Davis, D King, R Fleming, M Eastwood, T Green, R Young, S Ott, A Longley, J Drage, S Clark.

- TWENTY-four hours after Malvern's play-off game, the club entertains Luctonians in the semi-final of the North Midlands Cup.

Robins explained: "We played our matches on the due dates, but fixture problems saw other clubs unable to catch up until last weekend. Thus Sunday is the only available date, as the final is on the following Sunday (May 8).

"We are determined that the competition should not be devalued by withdrawal, as happened last year, and so will honour the fixture with a team which will feature several players who have had little exposure to first team rugby. This obviously makes us underdogs, but Luctonians themselves were in a similar fix a few years ago and sent a willing second string. We look forward to renewing old rivalries and friendships with them."

Team for Sunday, May 1

North Mids Cup semi-final: 1st XV v Luctonians (Home). Meet 1.15pm. Kick off 2.45pm. From: S Cooper, J Pritchard, P Stevenson, M Freestone, V Hill (Capt), J Drage, R Finch, O Banwell, S Clark, O Wynne, D Green, A Dixon, B Ash, G Roberts, R Milne, W Clee, A Longley, D Beech, G Fraser, A Burns, A Ruddock, J Davis, R Fleming, R Young, T Green, M Richardson, N Richardson.