IMPROVING Malvern RFC are not being fooled by the prospect of an easy game when they visit next to bottom of the Midlands One table Banbury (tomorrow) Saturday.

Malvern director of rugby Dave Robins said: "With Banbury now firmly in the relegation zone, four points adrift of next-placed Hereford, we see this as a potential banana skin because, believe me, they will be fighting to maintain their status as hard as they can and it will be a tough away game.

"One thing that may be in our favour is that unlike last week at Longton, which was a bonus win for us, the playing surface will be near perfect leading to a different game altogether.

"We can play a wide, open game and no doubt our backs will be looking for some good service to let them open up."

Malvern travel with a similar team to last week, the only changes being Duncan Short in the second row, pushing Vince Hill onto the bench, and Richard Fleming in the centre, taking the place of Bo Kristofferson who is on international duty with Denmark playing in the King's Cup sevens tournament in Thailand.

Robins concluded: "We set a target of four points from the three games before Christmas and last week's win at Longton was a bonus but we cannot afford to take Banbury lightly and must go there fully focused."

Malvern are presently without a game the following Saturday (December 15) as Luctonians, who Malvern have drew in the NMids Cup which should have been played on the Sunday, are still in the NPI Cup and are playing on Saturday.

Malvern however are desperate to keep playing and will be looking for a pool game for December 15.

The following Saturday (December 22) Malvern entertain Barkers Butts at Spring Lane.