BROMSGROVE and Droitwich Spa RFC First XVs both go in search of doubles this Saturday as the rugby season gets back in full swing.

With the Christmas break out of the way, the sides turn their attention to picking up vital league points and defeating this weekend's opposition for the second time in a season.

Bromsgrove open 2004 with a humdinger of a Midlands Two (West) clash at local rivals Malvern, who they saw off 44-12 at Finstall Park in November. Spa host Old Leamingtonians, who they defeated 17-8 on the opening day in September.

Holidays will mean slight changes to the Bromsgrove side to face Malvern. Lee Wainwright, who scored a hat-trick of tries in his side's 66-0 rout of Stoke a fortnight ago, is missing as are Steve Philips and Andy Bridge. Otherwise Bromsgrove should be at full strength with Matt Birch again expected to feature.

Malvern came unstuck in their last fixture of 2003, losing 25-19 at basement side Bedworth. But coach Dean Ball believes the Spring Lane side will still be up for the task.

He said: "I am sure they (Malvern) will raise their game against us and we will expect a torrid match and hopefully repeat what we did a couple of months ago.

"There's nothing better at this level than playing a local derby and we are looking forward to it. It would be nice to do the double and keep them off our tail in the title race."

Meanwhile, Spa are looking to build on their 20-10 defeat of Keresley two weeks ago. This Saturday's fixture marks the beginning of the second half of their season and director of rugby Julian Bailey is delighted with the situation in Midlands Three West (South).

He said: "We have come on in leaps and bounds this season. I am pleased with our position. If someone had offered me joint third at the start of the season I would have bitten someone's hand off for it.

"Hopefully we will be able to keep the momentum going and start the second half of the season as strongly as we have finished the first."