DIRECTOR of rugby Dave Irish insists Malvern will not take their foot off the gas in the final league match of the season tomorrow against Old Leamingtonians at Spring Lane (3pm).

They are aiming to cement fourth place in the final Midlands Two West (South) table and complete a league double after pipping relegated Old Leamingtonians 20-14 in their opening match.

But Malvern know a slip-up against the basement side could open the way for rivals Pinley to leapfrog them.

Irish wants to finish the league campaign on a high, particularly in front of invited guests, supporters and sponsors of the club.

Malvern will be missing prop Grant Fraser (knee injury), while back Laurie Essenhigh is away on a rugby tour of South Africa.

Irish said: “We cannot afford to take any side lightly, even if they are at the bottom of the table.

“If we were to lose and Pinley, who are one place below us, win with a bonus point, then they would leap above us in the table.

“In my opinion, it would be a travesty if Pinley, with the way they play, were to finish above us in the table.

“We cannot afford that to happen because the players have worked very hard during the campaign.

“All we have to do is win the match and that’s going to be our focus.”

Malvern’s last league outing was a 36-14 defeat at Old Laurentians on March 28.

Irish said: “Finishing fourth would be a great return for the season because getting consolidation was our aim at the start.

“We have a good squad for Saturday, although Grant is still out and Laurie is away, which is a shame for him because he scored two tries in 15 minutes in our last match.

“Initially, we were aiming for a top-half finish and we would be pressing higher had we not been deducted four points for fielding an ineligible player.

“It’s our last home game of the season and we will be going all out to send the club’s supporters and sponsors away for the summer with happy memories.”

Malvern are awaiting confirmation of the date for their North Midlands Shield semi-final at Bridgnorth.

The Shropshire side beat Scarborough 10-6 in the RFU Intermediate Cup last four and will face Maidstone in the final at Twickenham on Sunday, May 3.

The winners of the shield semi between Malvern and Bridgnorth are set to meet Kidderminster Carolians in the final at Dudley Kingswinford on Sunday, May 10.