STOURBRIDGE Rugby club is set for its traditional season-closing event, the Clash of The Titans between their Lion's second XV and third XV.

The teams, known as the Greyhounds and Grasshoppers, will go head-to-head at Stourton Park on Friday May 12.

Proceeds from the evening's entertainment, which will include live music as well as the big match, will be split between the club and the MS Society.

The MS Society was chosen as the charity of the season because the wife of regular Hoppers back row Rich Barratt suffers from the disease.

Rose Barratt said: “I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014 after a hospital stay with a suspected stroke. When I was told I had MS.

"In the past three years, our lives have changed and we have had to make a lot of adjustments as a family but we have also gained so many positive things.

"I reached out to the Multiple Sclerosis Society online to see what services and support was available. The online forum and helplines were brilliant.

"Through this I then discovered our local MS branch so I went to their young person’s meeting and quickly found support and comfort from other MS patients and their carers who are now our lifelong friends.

"I now fundraise for the local Multiple Sclerosis society branch and take part in awareness days in the local area. I find trying to help people who are newly diagnosed so fulfilling and think it’s important they have someone to talk to like I did when I was first diagnosed. "It was difficult for all of us and became very all-consuming when I was first diagnosed. Rich started rugby at Stourbridge shortly after my diagnosis and it has helped him so much.

"He quickly fitted in and it is a welcome distraction that he loves. Our son Riley soon got the rugby bug and wanted to follow daddy everywhere he went on a Saturday to play.

"Riley also now trains at Stourbridge with the Micro’s. "We receive so much support and understanding from the Grasshoppers team they have become like our extended family. We are so grateful and lucky to have found everyone at Stourbridge Rugby Football Club and the money raised at the Clash will help families like us to receive support and raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.”

The fun starts at 7pm, for more information contact the club on 01384 395000 or John Slim on 07989 786913.