Underbank Rangers are gearing up for the most crucial stage of their season.
That’s the view of head coach Richard Knight as his National Conference League Division III title-chasing side head to Hindley tomorrow.
It’s a game second-placed Rangers should win.
And with a big Conference Challenge Trophy clash at Premier Division East Leeds the following week and then a massive home test against unbeaten leaders Featherstone Lions, Knight knows how important it is for his side to step up a gear this weekend.
“Our performance to beat Heworth last time out wasn’t great,” said Knight, who feels his side is looking in good shape after a weekend off.
“So we’re certainly looking to step things up tomorrow and try to get back to our best, which is going to be absolutely crucial given the games we’ve got coming up.
“Hindley in itself is a tough fixture, because they’re always strong at home.
“But these are the games we simply have to win if we are to keep our title challenge alive.
“And if we can put on a decent show this weekend, we’ll then travel to East Leeds the following week confident of giving it a real shot against one of the top sides.
“That’s a big game, but the one against Featherstone the following Friday is even bigger. That could go a long way to deciding who’ll finish top at the end of the season.”
Knight is boosted by the return this weekend of influential Australian loose-forward Matt Adam and Sam Rochford, who has also been in good form this year and slots in at hooker. Regular No9 Andy Boothroyd misses tomorrow but is back to face East Leeds.
Mick Murphy and Luke Pogson will continue to deputise at half-back, although first-choice scrum half James Usher is another expected to return from injury next weekend.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield’s two Yorkshire Men’s League Group II teams face challenging assignments tomorrow.
Both Huddersfield YMCA and Moldgreen secured victories at the second attempt last time out.
But they will need to be at their very best to make it two wins out of three this weekend, with the YMCA facing leaders Shaw Cross Sharks A in a derby battle in Dewsbury and Moldgreen travelling to second-placed York Locomotive.
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