Weather permitting, Mersea Island Rugby Club will attempt to edge another step closer to the hallowed turf of Twickenham when they take on Hartpury College for a place in the EDF Energy Junior Vase quarter-finals tomorrow.

The fixture is one of the biggest in the club's history and a large number of supporters are accompanying the players on their trip to Gloucester in a coach which has been sponsored by John Gray of A.M. Gray & Co Ltd.

Hartpury College, who currently top Gloucester League division one, are a young academy side to the Gloucester Rugby Club.

The Mersea players are full of excitement, despite the unavailability of player coach Steve Haycock, captain Toby Green and wing Jordan Day, but welcome the return of Darryl Walters, lock Steve Daniels and Stu Priestley.