OTLEY coach Peter Clegg is hoping to build on their second-half Sixways show back in November as they lock horns once again with Worcester tomorrow.

The Yorkshire side won that period at Worcester 9-0 after going down 37-3 in the first-half and, on the back of a 23-20 weekend win at Orrell, they go into the Cross Green clash in confident mood.

The victory brought an end to a painful sequence of seven straight defeats that put their National One future on the line.

However, after being promoted last season, Clegg is determined his side will not suffer relegation this year. "It was very important we broke the sequence of losing because we've got Worcester and then next week Leeds," he said.

"They are two fully professional outfits and nobody expects us to do anything against either of them. We had a good second-half performance against Worcester down there. They're not firing at all and they've got pressure on from Leeds."

Clegg added: "Anything from the game will be a bonus. It is the performance level of the players than I'm looking at."

National One leaders Worcester will be hoping Wakefield can do them a favour in their local derby with Leeds tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Worcester's back row forward David Merlin will be out of action for a number of weeks after damaging his knee.

The 28-year-old, currently on loan to National Division Three side Stourbridge, will undergo a knee operation tomorrow. Brett Scriven has gone on loan as replacement.

The National One clash between Henley Hawks and Worcester, which was postponed on December 30 due to weather conditions, will now be played on February 18 (2.15pm).