MALVERN Rugby Club visit high-flying Dunstablians on Saturday desperate for points as they bid to avoid the drop.

However, with the number of clubs to be relegated from Midlands One still uncertain, director of rugby David Robins knows his club are in a tricky situation.

"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," he said.

"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, knowing 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 added: "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 puts clubs in an untenable position and that it was a ridiculous situation to be in with only three matches left to play."

Sam Hardcastle is unavailable for Saturday, but George Blakeway is back from Australia to resume at scrum-half and Paul Jenkin has recovered to play in the centre.

Another relegation-threatened club - Bromsgrove - should continue their fight with victory at Barkers Butts. Second-placed Luctonians, meanwhile, welcome Spalding to Mortimer Park.

Fixtures

Midlands One: Barkers Butts v Bromsgrove, Dunstablians v Malvern, Luctonians v Spalding.

Midlands Two West: Leamington v Hereford.

Midlands Three West (North): Shrewsbury v Kidderminster Carolians.

Midlands Three West (South): Evesham v Birmingham Exiles, Ledbury v Silhillians, Pershore v Nuneaton Old Edwardians.

Midlands Four West (South): Droitwich v Old Halesonians.

North Midlands One: Cleobury Mortimer v Bromyard, Redditch v Woodrush, Stourport v Upton, Worcester Wanderers v Five Ways.

North Midlands Two: Bishops Castle v Tenbury, Bredon Star v Clee.

North Midlands Three: Chaddesley Corbett v Dudley Wasps.