A COMPETITIVE 11-a-side football match will be played at Sixways for the first time when two Worcester schools go head-to-head.

King’s School and Royal Grammar School will lock horns for the much-anticipated Challenge Cup clash on Wednesday, March 1 (7pm).

Evesham United’s Jubilee Stadium has been the venue for their previous three encounters after Worcester City’s former ground St George’s Lane was demolished in 2013.

However, the annual fixture will return to the city next month after Worcester Warriors agreed to play host.

Warriors’ stadium already stages the Modus Challenge Cup rugby match every year with more than 3,300 spectators turning out to see King’s beat RGS 15-5 in October.

The pitch is now considered to be ‘football-friendly’ after the grass turf was replaced by a state-of-the-art all-weather surface last summer.

Since the transformation the Aviva Premiership outfit have allowed Soccersixes and Leisure Leagues to play small-sided football at their ground.

But the tie between King’s and RGS will be the first 11-a-side match to take place at Warriors’ home.

King’s captain Cameron Mathewson said: “It will be an honour for my team-mates and I to represent King’s at Sixways.

“The opportunity to play in a big stadium is something that doesn’t happen every day.

“I hope that everyone individually enjoys the occasion and that we as a team play to our full potential.”

In their previous four meetings the match has been won by a single goal with RGS edging it in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

A 1-0 victory for King’s last season was their first since thumping their arch-rivals 4-0 at St George’s Lane in 2012.

But RGS skipper Tom Beardmore said they were “more determined than ever” to come out on top this term.

“RGS v King’s is always a great occasion and the fact Warriors have offered to host the match this year will make it extra special,” Beardmore added.

“Having been on both the winning and losing side of this rivalry in the past two seasons the team and I are more determined than ever to make sure RGS are victorious.

“This will be the first time the football match has taken place at Sixways and victory there would undoubtedly be the highlight of our season.”

To buy tickets, which cost £5 each, visit warriors.talent-sport.co.uk, call 01905 459309 or go to Warriors’ ticket office.