Shropshire’s rugby union aces are bidding for a golden 50th anniversary present tonight — victory in the RLF North Midlands Championship.

The defending champions take on Worcestershire & Herefordshire at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park ground (7.30pm) in the final of the triangular tournament.

With Shropshire RFU celebrating their 50th anniversary, victory would be sweet in what is a landmark year.

But they will have to do it the hard way with a string of selection problems hindering their preparations.

Newport trio Toby Mann, Rob Clymer and Ben Warrilow all miss out, as do Whitchurch pair scrum half Chris Hares and Rob Mullock.

“The bulk of the problems have been in the backs, but we still believe we have enough to get a result,” said chairman of rugby Gordon Wood.

“It would be fantastic to win it in our 50th year.

“But it’s a good achievement to keep getting to the final when you consider we have only got 14 clubs to select from and Worcestershire and Herefordshire have more than 20 — including three National League clubs.”

Cancelled

Ludlow lock Darren Brick will lead the side after missing the 20-15 qualifying defeat to Worcestershire & Herefordshire a fortnight ago because he was on club duty.

Brick was due to play for Shropshire against Greater Birmingham last week but that match was cancelled because their opponents could not raise a team, handing the holders a bye to the final.

Worcestershire & Herefordshire will welcome back Dudley Kingswinford centre Rees Pritchard, Pershore winger Stef Ellis and Old Halesonians scrum-half Chris Wagstaff tonight.

The RLF North Midlands Championship is contested annually by the three domestic unions that comprise the North Midlands RFU.

Shropshire’s team:

Andy Crabtree (Harper Adams), Matt Farrington (Bridgnorth), Mike Preece (Bridgnorth), Harry Sheperd (Harper Adams), Andy Sugborough (Harper Adams), Tom Gravell (Harper Adams/Whitchurch), Jamie Simpson (Luctonians), Chris Morton (Harper Adams), Dan Kirby (Bridgnorth), Keith Fowles (Whitchurch), Darren Brick (Ludlow), James Lloyd (Whitchurch), Gareth Wills (Whitchurch), Robin Le Coq (Harper Adams-Whitchurch), Richard Baxter (Whitchurch).

Replacements: Jack Wells (Newport), Phil Berry (Harper Adams-Whitchurch), Phil Rogers (Newport), Matt Young (Ludlow), Matt Evans (Whitchurch), Nick Hulse (Eccleshall), James Hutchinson (Harper Adams), Andy Gear (Harper Adams), Adam Faulkner (Newport), Jimmy Gore (Bridgnorth).

By JAMES GARRISON