MALVERN Rugby Club travel to high-riding Dunstablians tomorrow (Saturday) knowing that the first XV must try to pull an unexpected win out of the hat if they are to secure Midlands One status for next season.

With the number of clubs to be relegated still uncertain, Director of Rugby David Robins thinks that the pressure put on players by RFU indecisiveness is unfair.

Robins said: "We operate at a level which is mainly amateur, but continued success throughout the club is strongly linked to the status of the first XV. Playing in the highest regional league means that we can attract players to the club who may not otherwise consider us.

"Equally, it gives added impetus to the players who come up through our ranks to strive for excellence in their game, knowing that they will be tested to the limit of their abilities. It also has an effect on the financial well being of the club, with healthy bar turnover and gate receipts endangered by the threat of relegation."

Communications officer Peter Woods agreed: "I was talking 'off the record' to an RFU official recently who admitted that, although there is a possible scenario of five teams relegated from a league of 12, the RFU hadn't made any decision yet!

"He privately agreed that this put clubs in an untenable position and that it was a ridiculous situation to be in with only three matches left to play."

Coach Andy Cushing feels that the pressure of the unknown will affect players, who will be anxious and that this might influence their play.

Cushing said: "The fact that there are probably five or six clubs, in addition to the certain relegation candidates, who are still in this zone of uncertainty means that there is an almighty scrap for survival going on which will affect the quality of rugby being played."

Malvern's answer is to approach each game on its own merits. Having run two of the top clubs close recently, the coaches and management recognise that the ability is within their players, but ultimately the decisions taken on the field will decide the club's fate. As skipper Vince Hill recently stated: "We have the talent - it just hasn't all clicked so far."

Malvern will be looking for that missing piece of the puzzle to click into place in Bedfordshire this weekend. Sam Hardcastle is unavailable, but George Blakeway is back from Australia to resume at scrum half and Paul Jenkin has recovered to play in the centre. The team hope that as many supporters as possible will make the trip to lend their voices.

The coach leaves at 10.30am on Saturday, whilst those travelling by car should take exit 12 from the M1 heading south and follow the A5120 through Toddington. The Dunstablians ground is on the left before Houghton Regis. Kick off is 3pm.