CLEOBURY Mortimer Rugby Club will stage the biggest match in their brief history when they host Sunderland in round six of the Powergen Junior Vase this weekend.

Saturday's tie at Love Lane will be a clash between the old and the new.

While Cleobury have made significant stides since they were formed only 14 years ago, Sunderland were founded in 1873 and were once one of the leading clubs in the north east.

This is Cleobury's 11th campaign in a national cup competition and prior to this season they had never made it beyond the second round in any of them.

Sunderland have also eclipsed their best ever run which took them to the fifth round last season.

It is the Mortimer men's fifth successive home match in this year's Powergen Junior Vase and club secretary Jon Redfern accepts that their progress to the last 16 of the competition has been assisted by a number of favourable draws.

"Apart from the first round we have been drawn at home," said Redfern.

"You've got to feel a bit for Sunderland who will have to make a round trip of around 500 miles on Saturday.

"We don't know much about Sunderland but we note that they are doing pretty well in their league.

"We will give it our best shot and we feel that we have a pack of forwards that can match most teams."

l Rugby round up - Page 102