DROITWICH skipper James Shewell says this weekend’s clash at Shipston on Stour will be the perfect test prior to their RFU National Senior Vase semi-final later this month.
The unbeaten Midlands Three West (South) champions are two games away from an invincible season and travel to Warwickshire tomorrow (Saturday) on the back of their 20th straight league win.
Droitwich men claimed a narrow 33-21 victory at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground over a physical Rugby St Andrews outfit last Saturday.
But Shewell admits Shipston will be even tougher test just a week before their national semi-final against Lancashire (North) side Tarleton on April 15.
“It’s all about concentration now as Shipston know how to utilise their hilly pitch,” he said.
“They are going to be very tough to break down but we want to end the season unbeaten.
“We have kept moving the posts because first we wanted to be promoted, then be champions, then get 90 points and then reach 100 points which we are so close to achieving.
“Shipston will be the perfect test prior to our cup semi-final so that we are all in a good condition.”
Russ Brown, Tom Saddington, Sam O’Brien, Iain Young and Ben Skinner got the tries for Droitwich on Saturday while Nat Maginnis kicked five conversions.
But Shewell was left frustrated after conceding 21 points, the most they have let slip all season.
“Rugby were very confrontational and I think their physicality stopped us from playing at times,” he added.
“We had actually built up an early lead but we seemed to take our foot off the gas in the second half.
“Rugby capitalised on some poor discipline and it was a frustrating performance but once again we have got the job done.”
