CALDY are getting set to enter a crucial stage of their exceptional season when Harrogate visit Paton Field on Saturday.

The Yorkshire team are Caldy’s closest challengers in National League Three North and will be desperate to close the 10-point gap at the top of the table.

Their visit will be closely followed by crunch league games against Macclesfield and Kendal in the league before Christmas, as well as the next round of the EDF Energy National Trophy against Hull Ionians.

Caldy director of rugby Tony Atherton said: "All of the matches could be crucial come the end of the season, so we will be putting everything into coming out of the other side with maximum points.

"Facing Harrogate is always a great challenge.

"We played each other twice last season – winning one each – and both games were played to a very high standard.

"They are a good side who play 15-man rugby, like we do at Caldy. They have a great line-out and have recruited well too, so if you love your rugby, there’s only one place to be this weekend – I think anyone who comes down to watch will be in for a real spectacle."

The game could not come at a better time for Caldy, who are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league and will be picking from a full strength squad after resting several first team regulars for the Trophy victory against Broughton Park.

Atherton said: "We rested people like Ben Macpherson, Sam Dickinson and Ian Murray, but they will all come into contention for the weekend, as will the people who performed so well against Park.