ALCESTER hope to return to strength for Saturday's trip to struggling Old Wheatleyans after having to field A and B teams at the weekend.

Pat Lamb's A team went down 22-5 in a friendly against higher league Shipston at the weekend but the result was academic after a number of enforced changes.

If Alcester are to break into the top three they will need third placed Dunlop - who they trail by four points - to slip up, but Lamb said he was happy with the progress this season.

Saturday's hosts (ko 2.30pm) are only a point clear of the bottom club and will be battling to avoid the drop into Powergen Warwickshire Two.