HUNDREDS of Wharfedale supporters will be heading to Harrogate tomorrow hoping their nearest rivals are in clement mood.

If the Greens beat their greatest rivals then they avoid relegation from National Division Two. Defeat means an anxious wait for results to come in from elsewhere.

But while Wharfedale followers might be hoping that Harrogate have one eye on next season and the continuation of a lucrative derby fixture and thus not quite be at full throttle, the truth is that their fellow North Yorkshiremen are desperate for a victory.

Wharfedale's problem is that Harrogate have not entirely given up hopes of a backdoor promotion themselves, one that would make extra gate receipts and a packed bar against Wharfedale seem like, well, small beer.

If Harrogate win and send Wharfedale to their doom, then Harrogate will finish third. But, as chairman Frank Carter explained, that might be good enough to achieve promotion by the back door.

"The problem of finances for clubs in National One is well documented, anything could happen to those clubs," said Mr Carter.

"We all know there are threats to Wakefield and Bristol and London Welsh may join the new set-up in Wales for next season so anything could happen in the shake-up. That includes the third place club going up."

With Harrogate receiving £70,000 as a National Two club from rugby headquarters, the prospect of a £220,000 handout as a National One club is a tempting carrot.

The message is clear: Wharfedale can expect no favours from Harrogate.

"We have a great deal of affinity with Wharfedale," said Mr Carter. "There is always a great crowd, a lot of banter and it is to our mutual benefit if they stay up. But while my heart wants them to avoid relegation, Harrogate are looking at this game as one they have to win.

"Third would be our highest ever placing in league rugby and if we have to send Wharfedale down to achieve it, then so be it."

In the Wharfedale camp coach Peter Hartley knows that the whole season has come down to one game.

He notes with interest a different approach to the fixture. The free weeks pencilled in for the end of the season in case of postponed winter matches has meant games every fortnight recently. While Harrogate have chosen to give their first teamers a run out in the Yorkshire Cup matches, Wharfedale have chosen to play it safe and risk no injuries.

"It's interesting, a different approach. They risk niggling injuries but believe match fitness will count, we've been quite happy with preparation," he said.

With director of rugby Michael Harrison he has worked hard to try to instill in the side the self-belief that they can get out of the situation and ensure that there is no fear in the side.

A three match winning run means the players are confident they have hit form at just the right time. The coaching staff have to take some credit for that, although they will be the last to seek it.

"You can't keep saying things will come right in the end, you have to make it happen," said Hartley. So what then "made it happen"?

"Well you need to start looking at underlying problems. The players knew we were weak in key areas and we brought in Ben Wade (at No 8) and David Pears (fly half). That gave us solidity in those key positions.

"We also started looking at the way we were rucking, worked on that and our support play and took it from there."

Harrogate have no injury worries for the big clash and welcome back from injury both prolific try scorer James Tapster on the wing and Ed Smithies at full back.

Wharfedale: Hodgson; Johnson, Baggett, Malherbe, Davies; Cotterill, Pears; Peel, Ogden, Dickenson, Lister, Evans, P Hargreaves, Wade, Verity.

Replacements: Ingram, Hindle, Renton, Whitfield.