Tyneside will be on tenterhooks tomorrow when York Wasps and rejuvinated Gateshead Thunder go head-to-head in the biggest game of both clubs' season.
If York win at the Thunderdome, Gateshead will remain bottom of the NFP and face a huge task to avoid the wooden spoon.
If Gateshead win, the Wasps will prop up the division for the first time this season.
Thunder coach Andy Kelly has billed the game as his side's Grand Final following their first win of the season last week, but Wasps boss Lee Crooks is playing down the crunch clash.
He said: "I've been quite taken aback by all the media interest in the game.
"It's a big game, but after everything that has gone on this season it will not be the end of the world if we go bottom.
"I'm just pleased I've got a team to coach. Because of what's happened it would have been easy for people to throw in the towel and for the club to be wound up.
"But everyone behind the scenes and the players should be applauded for keeping the club going.
"It's up to the players now what they want to get out of this game. Are they prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep off the bottom of the table or will they wilt under the pressure?"
After the 40-12 win at Hunslet last week, Thunder's first-ever win in the NFP, Kelly branded that game their major semi-final which will be followed by the big one tomorrow.
"This is our equivalent of the Grand Final," he said. "All the players know that whichever team loses will be rooted to the bottom of the table.
"We go into the game with a new confidence after winning at Hunslet."
Crooks will give fitness tests to Craig Moore, Lee Badauskas and Neil Harmon before naming his team, which will travel up to the north east with the Academy to save on transport costs.
All three missed the defeat by Hull KR through injury.
One player who won't be in the side is winger Aaron Campbell, who will not be returning to York in the immediate future.
Hunslet are not extending his loan as they are short of players, although a further deal could be struck before the end of the season.
Thunder expect to be at full strength, including ex-Wasp Gareth Lloyd, who has been in superb form in the centre.
York Academy play Gateshead Academy (1pm) tomorrow before the main event.
York: (from) Mike Hall, Simon Wray, Craig Moore, Mark Spears, Phil Musgrave, Mark Dooley, Gareth Oulton, Neil Harmon, Alan Pallister, Andy Hutchinson, Darren Crake, Mick Ramsden, Lee Badauskas, Matt Mulholland, Nathan Pincher, Chris Cooney, Carl Bristow, Danny Waite, Andy Innes, Shane Cochran.
Gateshead: Mick Johnson, Paul Thorman, Wes McGibbon, Gareth Lloyd, Leon Williamson, Scott Dyson, Carl Briggs, Lee Garside, Roy Southernwood, Andy Grundy, Jim Carlton, Steve Bradley, Chris Parker, Steve Rutherford, Paul Sebine, Steve Hall, Mark Wilkinson.
Referee: Paul Lee (Leigh)
Updated: 10:53 Saturday, May 19, 2001
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