CLEE Hill RFC captain Charlie Evans says his side are relishing the chance to make history after battling their way into the final of the RFU Midlands Junior Vase.

Hill gained revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat to Tenbury as they edged out their near-neighbours 10-3 in a hard-fought affair on Saturday.

Victory has set up a regional final against Leicester outfit Birstall, where the winner will be crowned Midlands champions and move just one further victory away from the national final at Twickenham.

Evans insists the ‘T’ word is not being spoken but says everyone at the club is licking their lips at the prospect of playing in the Midlands showpiece.

“It’s a massive thing for us,” Evans admitted. “The club has never got this far in the competition in its history and we just hope we can take it in our stride.

“No one gets too excited here but to have the chance to become Midlands champions will be nice as it’s never been done before here.

“We know it’s only two games from Twickenham but let’s get this final out of the way first – we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves because we almost slipped up against Tenbury.”

Robbie Jordan’s close-range try ultimately decided an attritional game in which both sides enjoyed periods of superiority but were largely kept at bay by the opposing defence.

Evans added: “It wasn’t our prettiest performance, in fact it was probably one of our worst – whether that was down to the pressure or the conditions I’m not sure, but we got the win.

“Their defence is equally as good as ours and nobody wanted to give in but we just managed to get the edge in the first half.”

The date and venue for the final is yet to be decided but Birstall – who lead their equivalent division – thrashed Clee Hill’s fellow Midlands Four West North side Aston Old Edwardians 42-5 in their semi.

Hill, though, beat Birstall’s title rivals Northampton Men’s Own earlier in this year’s competition and Evans added: “It will be all about what happens on the day.

“It’s definitely going to be a tough game as they put 42 points on Aston which is quite a score.”

This Saturday, Clee Hill, second in the league but level on points with leaders Aldridge and with two games in hand, turn their thoughts back to a promotion push, hosting mid-table Trentham.