Harrogate took a significant step towards the end-of-season play-offs with victory over local rivals Ilkley on Saturday – and director of rugby Jake Brady has declared his team is scared of no one in the post-season lottery.

A 24-18 success at Ilkley saw ’Gate leapfrog their hosts into the third and final play-off spot, three points ahead with four games remaining.

The convoluted play-off scenario between the fifth and fourth tiers sees the team finishing second in Regional One North East hosting the team finishing third. The winner of that meets the victors from the corresponding play-off match-up in Regional One North West.

Whoever advances from that then faces the team that finishes third-bottom in National Two North to decide the final spot in the fourth tier. All are one-off games.

Harrogate RUFC won at Ilkley to boost their Regional One North East play-off prospects.

placeholder image — Harrogate RUFC won at Ilkley to boost their Regional One North East play-off prospects.

“It was a good win on Saturday, an important one for the play-off places, it was crucial that we were able to leapfrog them into that play-off spot,” said Brady.

“It was a good way to bounce back especially as the last time we played was against (unbeaten leaders) Heath, we started well but came unstuck and they outplayed us in the second half. So the lads did well to pick themselves up and get ready for the Ilkley game.”

And Brady is now backing his team to finish the job and secure a play-off spot with games to come against Kendal, Sandal and Middlesborough, and beginning at home to York on Saturday.

“We’ve got a four-game run now against lower-half teams whereas our rivals have all got to play each other, so on paper we have the slightly easier run-in,” admitted Brady.

“We’ve got lads on the return from injury and only two long-term ones at the moment, so we’re in a good position as a group to go and attack these last four games.

“If that puts us up to second then brilliant, if we finish third then that’s fine too.

“We’re not scared of having to go away to try and get a win. We’re not deterred by that at all.”

On the bigger picture at Rudding Lane, Harrogate recently received a private funding boost that will be used to improve facilities which generate income to support the club’s longevity.