ROUND eleven of the Regional 2 West Midlands Division takes place this Saturday after a week off for clubs last weekend, with some tasty clashes at both ends of the table.
But pick of the bunch is the fierce local derby between Worcester and Malvern at Westons Fields as the out-of-form hosts look to end their losing streak at home to bitter rivals Malvern, who are flying high on the back of seven straight victories.
Visitors Malvern come into the clash in third, just three points off league leaders Ludlow, whom they beat 30-21 in the previous round of matches.
R2W Week 11: Worcester v Malvern: The last match between these 2 ended in a 24-24 draw. @WorcsRFC have lost 4 in a row and scored just 1 try BP in a run that has dropped them from contenders to 7th. @MalvernRugby are in great form with 7 wins in a row and 4 in a row with a try BP
— Midlands Rugby Page (@PageMidlands) November 24, 2022
Confidence will be sky-high, which probably cannot be said for their opponents Worcester this Saturday.
The hosts started the season very well and were at one stage second in the standings, but a run of four straight defeats has seen them drop down into seventh in the table.
But a derby game will no doubt spur Jonny Arr’s side to end that run and kickstart their season as a win could put them back in the picture for the promotion.
Elsewhere in the league, there are plenty of matches that will affect the top of the table.
Second plays top as Old Halesonians look to maintain their own seven match winning run when they welcome the league leaders Ludlow on Saturday.
R2W Week 11: Ludlow v Old Halesonians: Huge game at the top as 1st take on 2nd! @ludlow_rfc's lead at the top has been reduced to just 2 pts having lost 2 of their last 3 after previously looking almost unbeatable. @oldhalesrfc have won 7 successive games and 3 from 4 on the road
— Midlands Rugby Page (@PageMidlands) November 24, 2022
Ludlow will be keen to put their defeat at Malvern behind them and stay ahead in the race for the title.
Hereford and Stratford-Upon-Avon are both very much still in the promotion picture and they go head-to-head in what could be a mouthwatering clash.
R2W Week 11: Hereford v Stratford Upon Avon: Having done well to get in the mix at the top @Hereford_RFC have now lost 2 crucial games in a row to drop from 2nd to 6th and could lose more ground with 5th placed @UponRfc arriving with a 5 match winning streak and eyeing the top 3
— Midlands Rugby Page (@PageMidlands) November 24, 2022
And at the other end, bottom of the league Droitwich will be desperate to pick up a first win of the 2022/23 campaign when they host ninth placed Whitchurch.
R2W Week 11: Droitwich v Whitchurch: After putting in improved performances recently it was back to the drawing board for @OfficialDRFC after their heaviest defeat of the season in Rd 10. @whitchurchrfu have lost all 4 of their away games but haven’t lost to the hosts since 2018
— Midlands Rugby Page (@PageMidlands) November 24, 2022
Second-bottom Evesham welcome Walsall looking for just a second win of the season and Wolverhampton go to Crewe & Nantwich in the final fixture of the weekend.
R2W Week 11: Evesham v Walsall: @EveshamRFC have won just once this season and have lost all of their home matches but this is only their 4th game on their own pitch. @WalsallRFC have won 4 in a row with a try BP and have both the best attacking and defensive record in the league
— Midlands Rugby Page (@PageMidlands) November 24, 2022
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here