Tuesday, January 25, 2005

BROMSGROVE will be aiming to maintain their excellent record over Saturday's rivals Derby at Finstall Park and kick-start their top three aspirations in the Midlands Division One.

Despite the Boars' clash away at Longton on Saturday called off because of a water-logged pitch Bromsgrove remain within touching distance of the top three.

While Bromsgrove cannot catch leaders Leicester Lions, who have won all 14 league games, third placed Dunstablians are not out of their reach.

Bromsgrove go into Saturday's clash eager to get back into action after two weeks off.

They take on a Derby side which they defeated on the final day of last season to seal their place in Division One.

Bromsgrove also beat their East Midlands rivals 16-9 earlier in the season.

Fly half Matt Birch is still a doubt for the match after the recurrence of his back injury, but otherwise director of coaching Dean Ball has a full strength squad.

* Bromsgrove's much anticipated North Midlands Cup clash with Droitwich could be moved back to March.

The derby, originally pencilled in for February 12, could be moved to March 4 to allow Bromsgrove to play their game in hand at the first available date.