CUP holders Malvern RFC entertain neighbours Ledbury in a North Midlands Cup quarter-final fixture tomorrow (Saturday) at Spring Lane.

Malvern won the cup for the first time in their history last season while Ledbury were winners of the inaugural North Midlands Plate.

Ledbury also enjoyed a promotion season last year winning the Midlands West Four (South) championship and have enjoyed a good season so far in Midlands West Three (South) winning ten of their 14 games to date.

It isn't often that the pretty market town of Ledbury is seen as a banana skin but that's just how David Robins, director of rugby at Malvern RFC views it for this tie.

Robins said: "Ledbury have climbed a couple of leagues, they are on a roll at present and have nothing to lose. We know they have some talented players after they ran us close in a friendly last year. Cup ties are great levellers and we expect Ledbury to play well above themselves.

"We approach the game with caution, giving Ledbury the respect they deserve and our players know that they must be completely focused. Having won this cup for the first time last season, our lads won't let go of it very easily."

Robins was relieved at the Bromsgrove victory last Saturday that saw the Spring Lane side edge closer to league safety.

Robins said: "Both sides desperately needed the win, Bromsgrove especially as they were in a weaker position albeit with games in hand. It was a very ordinary game - local derbies often are - but Malvern kept going and ground down a determined opposition. However, the pressure is still on us, with a definite four and possible five teams likely to be relegated if the cascade from above sees all Midlands sides dropping out of the National League. We were clearly the better side, and as skipper Vince Hill has said, we haven't clicked yet and been seen at our best, which is yet to come.

"With our strong backs, we need to get quick ball to them, which wasn't forthcoming on Saturday. Sam Hardcastle again showed great class on the wing and Nick Smith was again a great presence, but my man of the match has to be Andy Ridley, who put in a non-stop performance for the whole game and is an example to those youngsters around him who are half his age. We still have some hills to climb but the result made the track look slightly less steep."

For the cup tie Malvern have Dave Irish back after injury in the hooker's berth, whilst Sam Hardcastle moves to scrum half, George Blakeway joining the bench. James Anderson makes his debut at flanker whilst Duncan Billane takes Hardcastle's place on the wing.

Malvern will be looking to move the ball out quickly to their pacey backs in what should be a free-flowing game of rugby.

Kick off is at 2pm on Saturday at Spring Lane.