DAN Jeffries is bidding to emulate last year’s play-off heroics when Salisbury RFC face Thornbury in Saturday’s winner-takes-all final (3pm) – and admits: “the lads deserve it”.

The head coach’s charges have the home advantage at Castle Road – where they are unbeaten in 19 months – in the South West Division final.

Both Salisbury and Thornbury lock horns for a spot in National League 3 South West after missing out on automatic promotion.

If triumphant, Salisbury will have completed back-to-back promotions.

“We are very excited for the weekend as it will be a huge day for the club and city,” Jeffries told JournalSport.

“Thornbury have a great deal of quality particularly in their backs and they will be dangerous in broken play. They play in three pods which mean they will spread the ball well but they still have to deal with us in the contact area.

“I had one of my assistant coaches at their recent game and we are well prepared to exploit their weaker areas. Some people will judge the season on this game.

“We will build up as we always have and know if we perform we are a very difficult team to beat.”

Green and Whites were in the same scenario last season where they fended off Aylesbury in the Southern Counties South play-off final, which attracted a bumper crowd.

It was almost a year to the day they won that 34-16.

Jeffries added: “Last year the crowd was huge and it really made the difference.

“We have probably had the largest crowd in the league this year and I know many of the Thornbury guys will be surprised at the crowd they will face.

“I really expect the people of Salisbury to do us proud again on Saturday as it will be a close game and could be the deciding factor.”

“Most of our preparation is psychological. But the home draw is huge for us.”

If Salisbury do reach the fifth tier of English rugby, longer journeys will be in store with trips to the likes of Newton Abbot, Brixham, Barnstaple and Exmouth.

But to play at that level will be just reward for the team, according to Jeffries.

“The lads deserve it,” he continued, “I know the squad of players we have will be very competitive at National League. Two years ago I felt we should be able to achieve national league and the boys have done me proud. However, to achieve this in two years is a testament to the quality in this squad.”

Captain Liam Gilbert and vice-skipper Josh Green, who rested last week, should return.

The entertainment starts at noon and there will be a beer garden, barbecue, face-painting and bouncy castle. Entry is £3, under-16s free.