A MONTH into the season and Woodrush's derby clash against Kings Norton on Saturday (ko 3pm) is already shaping up to be a basement battle.

Both sides dropped into Midlands West Four South this season, Kings Norton after relegation and Woodrush after pulling out of the Midlands Four West South before the start of last season.

Kings, under new player-coach Rory McLean, and new-look Woodrush had high hopes for the new season after a torrid time last time out but Woodrush are propping up the table without a win in four matches and continued the run with a 22-0 loss to second-placed Berkswell and Balsall at the weekend.

The Icknield Street side are scoring just six points a game and shipping an average of 26.

Norton are immediately above them, courtesy of a win over Southam in their second outing, but gave lowly Droitwich two points on Saturday with a 29-8 loss.

Player-coach McLean returned after a gashed head and McGlynn and Pete May were back.

But there was no place in the side for former Botswana international Phil Fergus.

Back row Martin Auster is set to return for the derby date after work commitments ruled him out against Droitwich and Martin Hefford should play despite suffering a back injury on Saturday.