IT'S the highlight of the schools' cricketing calendar in Worcester on Saturday, when old rivals King's School and the Royal Grammar School lock horns.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road ground will again stage the game, starting at 11am, and a large crowd is expected for the annual contest.

And there's little to choose between the sides with both having had highly successful seasons to date.

RGS won by 16 runs last year and will hope to repeat that success.

But King's have already tasted success at New Road this season, having beaten Cheltenham College last month to lift the Chesterton Cup, and will also be confident, with a recent victory over the MCC also to their credit.

The game is part of a mini-league involving three other schools, and rather than being a limited-overs contest, it will have a total duration of 112 overs, with the side batting second able to receive the balance of the overs if the side batting first is bowled out early.

Both sides have approached this season in different fashion. Continuity is the key at King's, whose side has been together for a few years now, while RGS are looking to youth as they rebuild their side.

King's will look to their prolific opening batsmen Phil Burdon and Joe Robinson, who have compiled five century stands this season, and skipper Nick Major amongst others to make significant contributions.

Players to watch out for at RGS include captain James Watkins and Giles Gough with the bat, and spinner Miles Illingworth, son of former Worcestershire and England ace Richard, and medium-pacer Tim Ohlson with the ball.

RGS cricket master Mike Wilkinson, who will be in charge of his first derby game after succeeding the long-serving Barrie Rees, said: "We have quite a young side and are rebuilding from what was a very successful side for the last two years.

"We have had some very good victories and the lads are improving all the time. King's have got a good side but we have some useful players too."

Peter Iddon, cricket master at King's, said: "We are quietly confident but as in most derby matches, anything can happen.

"We have had a successful season and would hope for a culmination on Saturday."