Stourbridge have had a season that can only be described as perverse. They started it as Second Division promotion possibles and they have fulfilled one important part of their promise: they have won a decent number of away games.

They have won six times on other clubs' grounds, to be precise. So why are they now having to settle for consolations like this one: safety from relegation?

It's because they are so dodgy when they're at home. They have only won there three times and that defies the most basic of promotion tenets. If you can't win on your own patch, forget it.

So it is that they're probably a little bit nervous this week. They won impressively at Wharfedale last Saturday but now they've got to play Blackheath at Stourton Park.

Stourbridge won at Blackheath during their march to the top of the table earlier on, but only by four points and they admit that they were hanging on at the end.

But Blackheath are below them in the table and are not entirely free from the fear of relegation.

There ought to be a home win here but nobody's rushing to the bookies. The win at Wharfedale was partly attributed to a reshuffle of the back division, with John Hall playing at full-back in place of Marcus Cook, who switched to the centre. Joe Ewens was at outside centre and scored two tries. This is likely to be the formation on Saturday.

As they have been for most of the season, Stourbridge are pretty happy with their forward play and the strong front row on which their effort is based are on duty this week. So, the club hope, is their second row forward, James Matthews.

Matthews adds substantial power to the forward operation and his potential has been spotted by the England Under-21 selectors.

Stourbridge hope that he is not required for international purposes this week. The New Zealander, Will Rowley, has proved to be a considerable acquisition on the flank and Stourbridge have high hopes of their young No 8, Chris Simcox. Here's a player with unusual credentials. Not only is he a promising back row forward, he's also a local lad.

Not many of those about in English rugby at the moment.

The defining match of the season is how Dudley Kingswin-ford view their clash with Bedford Athletic at Heathbrook on Saturday.

"It's as important as any game we've ever played," said Gordon Bannatyne, the director of rugby.

"If we win, there's hope of remaining in the National Leagues. If we don't, we're doomed. Our position becomes more precarious by the week."

Bedford are stone cold bottom of the division but they're only a single point adrift of DK and they do have some form to commend them: they've won three of their last five matches.

An additional problem for Dudley is that they're running out of front row resources. Prop Alan Low has been recalled by Moseley and hooker Ben Gerry by Pertemps Bees.

"It's not easy fighting relegation battles without adequate cover, but we have to deal with it," said Bannatyne, who is now scouring the Midlands for suitable reinforcements.