CLEOBURY Mortimer Rugby Club are bracing themselves for a bumper crowd when they host the biggest game in their history in the Powergen Junior Vase quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Mortimer Men attracted a gate of more than 500 for their memorable victory over Sunderland in the previous round - compared to the usual attendance of 20 at Love Lane.

With the town set to throw its support around its rugby heroes once more and last eight opponents Old Saltleians only having to travel from North Birmingham, the crowd could be swelled even more.

Club secretary Jon Redfern is expecting a carnival atmosphere for the tie - Cleobury's sixth successive home clash during their record run to the last eight.

"We had more than 500 at the last game so I'm certainly expecting 700 with them being a relatively local team," he said.

"It's the talk of the town at the moment, it's definitely captured everybody's imagination.

"I've even had people who I thought had no interest in rugby whatsoever stopping me in the street to ask about the game and congratulate the team."

Cleobury's recent sequence of 13 wins is their longest ever unbeaten run in all competitions, surpassing their 10 successive games without loss last season.

But Redfern insisted Cleobury had not allowed themselves to dream about the prospect of a possible trip to Twickenham for the final on April 9.

Meanwhile, Old Salts have got to the last eight the hard way, having to win on their travels at Hemel Hemstead and Sittingbourne after being moved from the Midlands to the London section to balance up the numbers.

"We've put some miles in this season but we seem to have coped," said Old Salts captain Chris Davies.

The visitors are currently riding high in Midlands Four West North and will be roared on by a coachload of supporters.

"It's the biggest game we have had in the seven years that I have been with the club and it's really got the place buzzing" said Davies.

"We know a bit more about Cleobury and we've been there before but this is probably a harder tie for us.

"It's a difficult pitch for visiting teams to play on, they are pulling in some big crowds and they say that having that sort of support is like having an extra player on the pitch for them."

Wyre Forest rugby fan Karen Blagojevic will have divided loyalties at the match.

She will be cheering on nephew Dan Fenthan, who is Old Salts number eight and won their player of the year award last season.

But, as a resident of Omberlsey, she also has a soft spot for the local team.

"It should be a great occasion and as long as it's played in the right spirit I don't suppose I can lose, can I?

"I've supported Dan since he was a boy, but it's also great to see Cleobury doing so well."