Harrogate RUFC chief Martyn Wood issues rallying call ahead of crunch clash with Hull RUFC

The Aces, who sit second-from-bottom of the National Two North table, entertain the division’s basement side at the weekend, with both teams in desperate need of a win in order to beat the drop.

‘Gate are currently five points better off and head into the weekend just a point shy of safety, knowing that victory over Hull could well lift them out of the relegation zone with two rounds of fixtures remaining.

Meanwhile, the East Yorkshiremen could well be relegated if they lose and fail to secure a bonus point – if either Billingham or Preston Grasshoppers come out on top in their respective fixtures.

Thus, with so much at stake for both clubs, Harrogate’s director of rugby is expecting an epic encounter to play out at the Apollo Capital Stadium.

And, with four of Harrogate’s five league successes this term coming on home soil, Wood insists that the Rudding Lane faithful have a big part to play once again in what really is a must-win game.

“Saturday is a big game, there is a lot at stake and we need to do everything that we can to give ourselves the best chance of getting a result,” the former England international scrum-half said. “We always get a good turnout at home and the boys like playing in front of our crowd. Like most teams that are lucky enough to get really good support from the home fans, we respond really well to that. “Over the last six months we have been playing pretty well at home and getting results and I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to come down this Saturday and back the boys. It can make a real difference. “This is going to be a tough game. Hull are a really physical side and have some very good players. We know that we need to focus on playing our game and on controlling the things that we can control, but some extra support would definitely be nice.”

On his side’s chances of beating the drop, Wood added: “We just have to keep working hard. We have got two home games left that we feel are winnable if we turn up and perform on the day.”