HEREFORD Rugby Club have ‘nothing to fear’ in their crucial Midlands 2 promotion play-off match at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

The in-form Wyesiders make the trip to Heslam Park where Scunthorpe have a formidable home record.

The North Lincolnshire outfit have won 10 of their 11 league matches at home this season and scored 40-or-more points on six occasions.

Hereford’s head of coaching, John Watkins, said: “We won’t be complacent about going to Scunthorpe. We lost a play-off last year and that should stand us in good stead. We know Scunthorpe are a strong, solid side and have an exceptional number 10. But we are confident in our own ability.”

Hereford have had a mixed away record this term – winning six, losing four and drawing one of their 11 matches on the road.

But the Wyesiders have been unstoppable since Christmas, racking up nine wins and a draw in 10 league matches.

Last season, Hereford reached the Midlands 2 promotion play-off match but crashed 43-13 at home to Hinckley.

A victory for Hereford would lift them into the same division (National 3 Midlands) as Luctonians, Malvern, Bromsgrove and Newport (Shropshire).

Watkins said: “We will be the underdogs for the game, which isn’t a bad thing, and we will be preparing well.

“We have won our last eight league matches, including last Saturday’s victory over Bromsgrove, and we have nothing to fear.”

Scunthorpe recorded a 19-18 success last Saturday at Midlands 2 East champions Ampthill. That win propelled the North Lincolnshire side to 34 league points – one point more than Hereford – which gives them home advantage in the promotion play-off.

Scunthorpe, who were relegated from Midlands 1 last term, battered Dunstablians, 71-17, in their last outing at Heslam Park.

Scunthorpe chairman Lew Clayton said: “I think it’s about 10 years since we last played Hereford. We went up from Midlands 1 that year and then spent two years in the National Leagues.

“We came down from Midlands 1 last year and it was a case of rebuilding the side. A lot of the older players have retired and the majority of our side are young players.”

He added: “It’s the biggest rugby game at Scunthorpe for some time and I would expect a crowd of around 250 to 350 people.”

Scunthorpe are well-known to Luctonians whose director of rugby, Dave Thomas, has issued a ‘good luck’ message to the Wyesiders.

“We get on very well with Scunthorpe - we know them from Midlands 1. They have an old-fashioned clubhouse and good facilities,” said Thomas.

“Hereford can expect a very partisan and vocal home crowd. Scunthorpe is a serious rugby area and they’re keen to get back to Level 5.

“It won’t be easy for Hereford because Scunthorpe are no pushovers.

“Hereford will have to front-up to Scunthorpe and get the ball out to their backs who are full of running.”

Thomas added: “I wish Hereford good luck. It would be great for Herefordshire to have two sides from the county playing at Level 5.”

l A coach for Hereford’s players and supporters will be departing for Scunthorpe at 4pm tomorrow (Friday).

Any supporters interested in travelling on the coach should contact the rugby club tonight (Thursday) on 01432 273410.