Red hot Whitchurch are bracing themselves for their biggest game of the season so far when Midlands One West leaders Burton head to Edgeley Park for a crucial showdown on Saturday (2.15pm).
Burton arrive with a five-point cushion at the top of the table and, realistically, if the Reds are to feature in the title race, the Staffordshire side must go the way of all previous visitors this season and be sent home empty-handed.
“It will be a very close, hard fought contest,” predicted Whitchurch president John Gregory. “To land the title, this is really a must win, but we could do with the points to help us get ahead of Bournville to try and get second place.”
Whitchurch warmed up for their tilt at Burton by blitzing backmarkers Cheltenham North 59-0 last weekend.
They know Burton will be a much tougher nut to crack given the fact the table-toppers have won 14 of their 16 league games, but Whitchurch are relishing the challenge and will be boosted by the return of winger Tom Crank.
However flanker Jimmy Lloyd is likely to miss out with ligament damage suffered against Cheltenham last weekend while centre Mike Gardiner, who grabbed two of the tries in that easy win, is also rated as doubtful.
By Stuart Dunn