THE final weeks of the regular season is one of the most exciting times of the year for York Knights boss Mark Applegarth, and this weekend is no exception.

Last year, he was battling to keep Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Super League, whilst this time around, the Knights have left things in their own hands in their hopes of securing a fourth-placed Betfred Championship finish against fellow top six hopefuls Featherstone Rovers this afternoon.

Victory will all but seal a home Play-off Eliminator, whilst defeat could drop them out of the play-off places altogether, should both Sheffield Eagles and Widnes Vikings win their respective matches against Dewsbury Rams and Barrow Raiders.

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“I think one of the key words is excitement, and personally, this is why I get involved in the sport, for this at the end of the year,” an upbeat Applegarth admitted to The Press.

“Obviously last year it was a different sort of excitement with whether you can keep a team in the league or not and this year it’s whether we can get the team into the play-offs.

“It brings out the best in people.

“I think the key to it all is managing those emotions and making sure that people bring the best versions of themselves on Sunday and that they’ve not wasted too much energy through the week overthinking things.

“Most people say that the upturn of form is down to me, but it’s not. 

“We’re under no illusions that Sunday will be a tough game, but we’re just focusing on ourselves and making sure we bring our best versions and doing what we can to make the play-offs.”

After a poor start, the Knights turned things around to claim a first league win at Featherstone in 67 years earlier this season.After a poor start, the Knights turned things around to claim a first league win at Featherstone in 67 years earlier this season. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) York already have one win under their belts against Featherstone this season, June’s 34-24 victory breaking their 67-year curse at the West Yorkshire club. But they have never beaten them at the LNER Community Stadium.

Former Knights Ben Reynolds and Greg Minikin add plenty of quality to Featherstone’s backs, whilst Connor Wynne is among the league’s top scorers and full-back Caleb Aekins found the whitewash against Applegarth’s side earlier in the campaign.

“They’ve got some key players throughout the pitch,” the Knights boss explained.

“They’ve obviously got Aekins at full-back who adds a different dimension to them, I thought the halves went well last week in [Thomas] Lacans and Reynolds. They’ve got Dec Patton there too, I’m not sure what their plan is for that.

“They’re a big set and they’ve got some strong players throughout.

“We’re under no illusions that they’ll be aware just what’s at stake too and they’ll be coming to us wanting to achieve the play-offs as well.

“It’s got all the makings for a good game, and it’s one that I, personally, am really looking forward to.”