MALVERN RFC are back in action this weekend after a three-week break over the festive period.

Grassroots rugby returns across the country and in the Regional 2 Midlands West, there is a full fixture list scheduled, providing the rain stays away. There has been mass flooding across central England this week due to the heavy rainfall.

But as it stands, Malvern will get their league campaign back underway with a trip to Ludlow, who sit a place above them in the standings with 26 points from their 12 games.

They suffered three defeats on the spin before Christmas, including back-to-back thrashings at the hands of Moseley Oak (55-7) and Shipston on Stour (58-7). Before that disappointing run, they had won five of their nine games in the 2023/24 campaign.

As for Malvern, they too are struggling this season. Despite being within range in a lot of their matches, running out of steam in the last quarter seems to be a recurring theme and they have won just one of their last seven, which was a 20-16 victory at Worcester.

That remains their only win away from home this season but this weekend at Ludlow should be one that Malvern can target. The pair drew 21-21 when they met back in September at Spring Lane in a hugely competitive fixture.

Elsewhere in the league, the top two go head-to-head as Silhillians look to topple leaders Newent and there is an all-Cotswold derby between Stow-on-the-Wold and Shipston on Stour.

Worcester host nearby rivals Hereford in another hotly contested affair, whilst Cheltenham host bottom-of-the-league Berkswell & Balsall and Moseley Oak welcome Stratford Upon Avon on Friday night.