MIDLAND Two West leaders Malvern RFC will face their toughest fixture so far this season tomorrow (Saturday) when they play third-placed Hereford.

The Spring Lane side have made the perfect start to their league season with six wins out of six but in a tight chasing pack Hereford have lost two games, winning four.

The Wyeside outfit lost on the second week of the season, 13-7 at Whitchurch and at home last week to second-placed Lichfield 17-19.

On Saturday, Malvern hammered Newbold away and director of rugby David Robins was on a high after the performance, the only possible black cloud on the day was the threat of having to replay the fixture.

Robins explained: "Because the match went to uncontested scrums before the 60 minute mark, we could have to replay the fixture - the decision rests with the league secretary. We are hoping that, as we were 40 points clear at the time, common sense will prevail and that the result is allowed to stand. From comments made by Newbold's coaching staff, they have no real wish to repeat the game.

"Looking at our performance, it was almost complete - everyone shone, from the pack, who destroyed Newbold up front, with at least six takes against the head, to the backs, who ran good lines, defended well when they had to and finished off well. My man-of-the-match was Richard Hobbs, who grows in stature with every game.

"We now face probably our toughest tests to date over the next two weeks, playing Hereford at Spring Lane this Saturday, then Lichfield away next weekend.

"Hereford have a good young side that has played and matured together over the last few seasons, whilst Lichfield are also resurgent. Our lads know that the fixtures are now getting tougher and that they have to continue playing in the same vein as in the first two months."

Malvern welcome Hereford to Spring Lane tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.