Hereford Rugby Club expect to be at full strength for their biggest challenge of the season when they meet Dudley Kingswinford in the final of the North Midlands Cup at Stourbridge this Sunday, kick-off 3pm, writes Jeremy Finney.

Prop-forward Spencer Grogan and lock Phil Jones both missed Saturday's Midlands 1 defeat at Scunthorpe, but are expected to be fit in time for the final. Grogan twisted a knee in training, while Jones was suffering a neck strain.

Hereford start as underdogs against Dudley, the Midlands 1 champions by a seven-point margin from Scunthorpe, and are seven places below their rivals in the league table.

But Dudley's only league defeat was at Wyeside back in October when Hereford gained a 17-14 victory, scoring all their points in the first-half to lead 17-3 before withstanding heavy pressure.

The Wyesiders skipper Jason Lewis said: "Although we have already beaten Dudley Kingswinford, they are bidding for the double and will start favourites.

"We know all about Dudley, but will be concentrating on playing our own game and not worrying about them."

Hereford will be bidding to lift the North Midlands Cup for the fourth time and this, in fact, will be their eighth final appearance in the competition which was started in 1972.

The Wyesiders first won against Bromsgrove in 1988 and then beat Old Yardleians in 1990 and Worcester in 1992.

If both teams play to their potential, Sunday's match promises to be one of the best.

l Anyone wishing to travel with Hereford to the final should ring the clubhouse on 01432 273410.

Rugby: Sport 3