WORCESTERSHIRE & Herefordshire RFC will be defending a five-year unbeaten record in the Hart Gilmore Trophy this month.

The combined counties had a new fixture against higher-graded East Midlands at Towcester last night and start their triangular Trophy fixtures with a match against Shropshire at a venue to be arranged on Wednesday, April 26. They then meet Greater Birmingham at Ledbury on Wednesday, May 4, and the final will be played a venue to be decided on May 10.

A trial match will be played against the North Midlands at Worcester this Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm.