OLD county rugby rivals Hereford and Luctonians meet for the first time in three years when they line up for a North Midlands Cup quarter-final at Wyeside on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

The clubs met three times during the 2001-2 season. Luctonians won 19-13 in a North Midlands Cup preliminary round tie and followed up with a 14-11 success at Mortimer Park in Midlands 1. The sides drew 16-16 in the return fixture at Wyeside.

The clubs have had different fortunes since then and higher-graded Luctonians will start as hot favourites on Saturday but in-form Hereford can point to a current run of nine victories.

"We are hoping for a good crowd," said Hereford chairman Guy Griffiths.

"I'm sure that Luctonians will expect to win as we would if we were playing a side from two divisions below us.

"But it will be a challenge for us and give us a chance to measure how far we have come."

A semi-final at Malvern awaits the winners.