FEATHERSTONE Lions are quietly confident of making an impact at the business end of the Co-operative National RL Conference campaign.
The defending champions, who stunned hot favourites Bramley Buffaloes in last year's Grand Final at Headingley, play Huddersfield Underbank in a first round play-off clash at the Mill Pond Stadium on Saturday.
Huddersfield thrashed a scratch Lions s
ide 46-4 last Tuesday in the final game of the regular season but it was a meaningless fixture - the finishing position of both teams was already guaranteed - and Featherstone will have a far stronger line-up on show this weekend.
Said team boss Keith Bell: "Huddersfield seemed to get a boost from the win and fancy their chances of a win at the Mill Pond but it will be a different game this weekend.
"With one or two players having to play with knocks over the last few games, the weekend break should see them refreshed and ready for the game.
"Coaches Simon Tuffs and Jon Agar are arranging an extra training session this week to fine-tune things for what should be a cracking game in front of a decent crowd. Lions will not give up their crown without a fight.
"We've struggled to maintain last season's high standards, due mainly to a terrible injury crisis that's dogged us all season. But with a week's rest and a near fully-fit squad to pick from, we're optimistic of a good run in the competition."
Club officials are appealing for a big crowd at Saturday's match, which is Lions' final home game of the campaign. If they beat Underbank, all their subsequent ties will be away from home.
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