It promises to be a memorable occasion at College Meadow (kick-off 2pm) with both clubs, situated less than three miles apart, going into the derby showdown on the back of two successive National One victories.

Blackheath, in particular, have enjoyed a tremendous league campaign so far and currently lie third in the table with 10 wins from 14 games approaching the halfway point of the season. Elthamians’ hard fought 24-15 victory at Albanian last weekend, moved them up one place to seventh.

For two members of OEs’ management team, Saturday’s South London derby will hold special significance. Head coach Sam Howard spent four years at the Rectory Field and 1st XV manager Ally Vanner was a fixture in the second row for 11 years there. The pair have nothing but fond memories of their time at the world’s oldest open rugby club.

“I joined Blackheath at 18,” Howards recalls. “Obviously growing up in Kent, Blackheath were the most senior club, but I wanted to play for my home club Gravesend up until I left school. Once I left, Blackheath invited me to go on their senior tour to South Africa and had invited a lot of other young players from Kent that were trying to get into their 1st team. So it made sense for me to give it a go.

“I made my first team debut out in South Africa, but my league debut was the first game of the 1993/94 season away at Redruth – so it was a baptism of fire! It was also Micky Skinner’s first game back from Harlequins! We won the game but I remember more about the Saturday night staying in Redruth than the game!”

Vanner adds: “I was privileged to have 11 fantastic years at Blackheath. Standout moments for me were being part of the club’s 150th year celebrations in 2008 and playing against the Barbarians at the Rectory Field under floodlights in midweek. It was a cracking game of rugby played at breakneck speed. I remember looking at our prop Des Brett after 20 minutes and both agreeing that we were seriously blowing out of our hoops and not sure how we'd last the match! On a personal note, playing my 200th game was a special moment as well.”

Howard picks the 1993 Pilkington Cup clash against the mighty Leicester Tigers, when Blackheath almost pulled off a stunning upset as his personal highlight from his time in the red and black hoops. “We played Leicester at the Rectory Field,” he remembers. “They had won the Cup the previous year and yet we were ahead until the last few minutes when Neil Back scored a try to win it for them, 16-10. It would have been one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition.

“I was only 19 at the time and I scored a try in the first few minutes and received some outstanding reviews in the papers the next day! It also got me noticed for England U21s and England Students.

"I had an amazing four years at Blackheath, we had a bunch of young players that got on so well. We are all still great mates and regularly meet up for reunions."

Now Vanner, who joined Elthamians in 2011 and led them into the National Leagues before retiring from playing at the end of the 2015/16 season, and Howard, who took over as head coach at College Meadow in 2015, face their former club for the first time on Saturday. And Howard has warned his OEs side to expect the toughest challenge of their season so far.

“In this league, any team that sits third after 14 games is obviously a very good team,” he said. “We have seen ourselves how difficult it is to keep a consistent level of performance. Blackheath have excellent players in all positions, their back row and back line are outstanding and they have the league’s second top points-scorer, so we know that nothing less than our absolute best performance will be required.”

But OEs head coach believes his side are in good shape following the impressive win at Albanian. “It was one of our best performances of the season,” he admits. “We weren't as fluid in our attack as normal but we dug in and showed a tremendous amount of determination and steel that we probably have only seen against Plymouth and Coventry this year. The front five played as well I've seen in my year and half at the club. All the players said afterwards it was one of the toughest games they've played in all year.

“Our front row are really coming into their own as well. It makes the game so much easier for everyone else in the team if the front row are dominating the set piece. They are also contributing heavily around the pitch.”

Vanner neatly sums up the excitement surrounding Saturday's clash when he says. “Saturday’s game will be very special for both clubs purely because of the magic of a local derby. It's fantastic to have two clubs from Kent playing in National One. I have no doubt neutral supporters will be coming from far and wide to watch because of the added rivalry element. This fixture certainly has added meaning for me having had the pleasure of representing both teams.

“I'm sure neither club would like to admit it but they are very similar in many ways. Players and coaches come and go but it's the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes that are the DNA of both clubs. Two clubs with different histories and ambitious plans for the future. Who could want more from a local derby fixture!”