MICK Cook will call for high quality consistency as his York City Knights side head into their "biggest game of the season".
The Knights lost their opening LHF Healthplan National League Two encounter against Swinton but since then have beaten NL1 club Oldham in the Challenge Cup and played some scintillating rugby to win at Keighley and hammer Sheffield.
Cook now says matching the high standards of the 60-10 thrashing of the Eagles is crucial if they are to triumph against pacesetters Dewsbury in the top-of-the-table clash at Huntington Stadium tomorrow.
"We know the standards we aim for," said Cook. "We've only been getting there in fits and starts but we showed for long periods against Sheffield that we can play quality football.
"We really worked hard for each other and we're looking to put that kind of performance on regularly -- we will need to do so to win games at this level."
Dewsbury, many people's favourites for the sole promotion spot in NL2, are the only team with a 100 per cent record in the division following their win over previously unbeaten Swinton.
Said Cook: "If you looked at NL2 squads on paper, you would have to say Dewsbury would be right up there because of their recruitment.
"They will be a massive test. They've just brushed away Swinton -- not many teams will beat Swinton 48-10 --- and they have a lot of Super League players from 2004 in their squad and in key positions.
"Ryan Sheridan for example has 300 or so games behind him in Super League and is ex-Great Britain, then there's fellow half-back Francis Maloney, Darren Rogers, Warren Jowitt and so on. They've built a good side around these quality players who can control a team.
"This is our biggest game so far this season. It's a great game for us. That's what the league is all about.
"Dewsbury are top, we're looking to be top and we know we will need all the enthusiasm, guile and quality defensive work we showed against Sheffield. We're looking forward to it."
Cook was leaving it late to confirm his squad, though second-row James Ward looks set to miss out after picking up an infection.
Mick Ramsden could replace him, while full-back Matt Blaymire and Scott Rhodes were added to the 17 that beat Sheffield, with the latter likely to return for a key role at half-back, going head to head with former Leeds and Castleford stars Maloney and Sheridan.
Updated: 10:05 Saturday, April 23, 2005
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