LEDBURY Rugby Club’s players are prepared for a tough battle against mid-table rivals Bedworth on Saturday (3pm), according to head coach Ben Smith.

Smith said Ledbury’s players have been buoyed by last weekend’s 22-11 derby triumph against Upton in Midlands Three West (South).

And Smith says some of Ledbury’s squad remember their last visit to Bedworth’s Smarts Road ground during a traumatic period in the Herefordshire club’s history.

“We are hoping to go to Bedworth and have an afternoon to remember for the right reasons,” said Smith.

“We have not played at Bedworth for at least two or three years and, when the lads went up there last time, it was during a very tough period and the lads labelled it as the “season of death”.

“We don’t have any new injuries to worry about and everyone has been working very hard.”

Ledbury are seventh in the table after outscoring rivals Upton in a hard-fought contest at Ross Road last weekend.

Ali Park scored a fine try for Ledbury and George Bennion kicked four penalties and a conversion in the success.

Smith said: “I was delighted because the lads stepped up their game and matched Upton’s physicality. We were strong in the backs and strong in the forwards.”

Despite trailing 11-9 at half-time after Max MacFarlane’s try and kicks from Dan Keyte, Ledbury fought back after the interval.

The decisive moment of the derby was when Upton failed to touch down Bennion’s grubber kick.

Arron James made a quick break through the centre and found Bennion.

His low kick caught out the visiting defence and Park dived on to the ball just before the sprawl of the visiting full-back.

Superb kicking from the outstanding Bennion, which included three long-range penalties, swept his side to victory.

Smith said: “We were still missing six first-team regular players but the lads who came in did a superb job and should be proud.

“We had an excellent crowd, too, because the club had a vice presidents’ day.

“It was nice to share a derby win with them.”

He added: “It was great to bounce back after a difficult afternoon in the cup the previous weekend but I felt the boys turned up with the right attitude against Upton.

“We last played Bedworth in a higher league and we are prepared for a very good battle.”