CAPTAIN Ed Gough revealed Tenbury had “made our feelings known” to league chiefs after surprisingly being allocated to Midlands Four West (South).

Promoted as champions of Midlands Five West (North), the Palmer’s Meadow outfit expected to be placed alongside other clubs from the region at the level above.

The switch sees Tenbury miss out on derby dates with Church Stretton and Clee Hill, the latter having been relegated from Midlands Three West (North) at the end of last season.

“I am a bit disappointed to miss out on those two,” admitted Gough. “They would have been good derby fixtures but what can you do?

“It was not expected but we were put in there to balance up the leagues from what we have been told. We made our feelings known and will give it a go for a year and see what happens.

“There are mixed opinions at the club. Some people don’t mind, others are a bit annoyed at the loss of the derby games without being too fussed by the rest of the teams.

“Apart from those local matches, there is not a lot of difference. You never know what is going to happen year to year so we will take things as they come.”

Tenbury’s pre-season begins on Tuesday, July 4 with Gough hopeful of retaining all of last season’s squad. The club is set to run the rule over a handful of local players during the build-up to 2017-18.

A date is set to be arranged for a pre-season fixture against Bromyard with the prospect of one further warm-up match before Tenbury get thrown into cup action at the end of August. The league season kicks off on Saturday, September 9 with a trip to Birmingham Civil Service.

“We don’t want to be playing rugby in July and the preparations get knocked back a little by playing at least one cup fixture before the league starts,” added Gough.

“It is a long enough season as it is so we don’t want to get carried away with adding fixtures. A two-month pre-season programme is getting reduced to six weeks straight away. We have to be careful with that.”

There were no further surprises as promoted pair Ludlow and Cleobury Mortimer were placed together in Midlands Two West (North). Relegated Bishop’s Castle take Tenbury’s place in Midlands Five West (North).

LEAGUE ALLOCATIONS

Midlands Two West (North): Cleobury Mortimer, Crewe & Nantwich, Kidderminster Carolians, Leek, Ludlow, Newcastle, Old Saltleians, Spartans, Tamworth, Veseyans, Walsall, Whitchurch.

Midlands Four West (North): Aston OE, Bloxwich, Church Stretton, Clee Hill, Eccleshall, Essington, Five Ways OE, Market Drayton, Rugeley, Wednesbury, Yardley & District.

Midlands Four West (South): Bedworth, Birmingham Civil Service, Burbage, Claverdon, Coventrians, Coventry Welsh, Harbury, Pershore, Redditch, Stoke OB, Tenbury.

Midlands Five West (North): Bishop’s Castle, Chaddesley Corbett, Gnosall, Greyhound, Linley & Kidsgrove, St Leonards, Stourport, Warley.