SEASONED campaigner and director of rugby Mark Sowerby is backing his defence to see Huddersfield take the giant leap into the National Leagues next week.

Without doubt, next Saturday promises to be the biggest day in Huddersfield Rugby Union Club’s 99-year history, when they take on either Luctonians or Broadstreet in the North/Midlands Division I play-off.

The winners will be rewarded with a place in National III North and skipper Sowerby is quietly confident that it will be Huddersfield who join this season’s North I champions Kendal in the elite National League table next season.

“Half the game in rugby is about defending, and that is what we have largely built our success around this season,” admitted Sowerby.

“We are not the flashiest of teams, and when it comes to running in flowing tries we don’t have the best return, particularly considering we have finished second in the table.

“It is the sheer bloody-mindedness and refusal to be beaten which has got us there.

“I thought the whole side showed that in abundance last Saturday at Westoe when the lads were up against a massive pack who far outweighed them. But I thought their willingness to put their bodies on the line, and their sheer guts and determination, especially during that 20-minute spell when Westoe were camped out right on our tryline, was tremendous.

“If we can produce half of that effort against whoever we play against in the play-off, then they will find it very difficult to score against us.

“What we have achieved so far this year however, has not just happened overnight. It is the culmination of four or five years effort, which Mike Lumley began when he took over as director of rugby.

“We don’t have any ‘show ponies’ and ‘superstars’ at Huddersfield, that is something that both Mike initially, and later myself have been careful about when recruiting players.

“We have tried to build a side with players who share a willingness to work and play for each other, and where they have all developed into good friends, both on and off the field, all of which goes towards developing a tremendous team spirit. That is the foundation we have built this team on.

“I spent 18 years at Wakefield, and saw what happens when you go the other way, bringing players in, who come purely to play, pick up their money and then go!”

Before the play-off game however, Huddersfield and Sowerby were tackling Altrincham Kersal today, and although the coach was keen to chase another win, he was also mindful of resting one or two players ahead of next week’s crunch clash.

Sowerby was also hoping to have both Luctonians and Broadstreet (one or the other will provide the play-off opposition) watched this week, although the skipper is more concerned about his own side’s preparation than who their opponents are.

“I’m not really worried whoever comes up next Saturday,” continued Sowerby.

“I’d like to think we can win it comfortably, but I know because of the nature of play-off games, it is going to be tight, probably scrappy, and certainly tense.

“It is tremendously important that we win the game and go up, particularly as we are coming up to the club’s cententary year.

“It would a massive boost, and to be fair, the club with its excellent facilities deserve to be up there. And to be on the verge of national status and recognised at a higher level opens up exciting possibilites.

“It should be easier to attract new players, including those at junior level and secure improved sponsorship. And there would be more local derbies; Harrogate, Hull Ionians, Bradley & Bingley and Morley all play in National III North, which would obviously heighten the atmosphere.

“That is one area which has been a bit disappointing this season, with attendances not reflecting our League position. We have a solid core of supporters, but the local community have not really turned out in support. But, hopefully if we go up, then that is something we can perhaps try and improve on.”

The first thing however, is to win the play-off clash next Saturday, when hopefully, Huddersfield’s promotion-chasing rugby union team will be cheered on to victory by a vociferous (and large) crowd of supporters.