DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Cox believes Old Halesonians face the biggest game in their history on Saturday when they entertain second in the table Scunthorpe at Wassell Grove.

Just one point separates the sides in their pursuit of securing the play-off place for promotion from National Three Midlands Division.

Cox remains in no doubt about the importance of this fixture and has called for all the club’s supporters to turn out and get behind the side.

He said: “Whoever wins this game is most likely to go on and get the play-off place. They’ll be no prizes for whoever finishes third.”

Hales got themselves back on track last weekend following their disastrous 28-21 defeat at Old Northamptonians by securing an impressive 32-15 success at Sandbach in Cheshire.

With many casualties from the previous game, changes included youngster Jamie Keen in at scrum half in place of Dave Hadkiss, who was playing at fly half, and hooker Peter Fitzgerald coming in for the injured Sam Jones.

Cox added: “We were much better. We were much more competitive, had more tempo, more drive and more passion — everything we didn’t seem to have at Northamptonians.

“I know we suffered a red card early in the game at Northamptonians, but I still think we didn’t approach that game in the right mindset.

“At Sandbach we started well and got a 10-0 lead playing up the hill and against the wind.

“We flew out of the blocks in the second half and went 27-3 up before we got a bit sloppy and they pulled a couple of scores back with tap and goes.

“Credit to Sandbach because they don’t give up and I feel they’ll finish out of the bottom three this season.”

But Cox remains under no illusions about the task ahead, especially in the light of Scunthorpe’s 51-3 hammering of Nuneaton last Saturday and feels the supporters can play a big role.

He said: “Our support has been creeping up all this season and we will be banging the drum for as many people as possible to turn up on Saturday and get behind the side.

“We’ve been knocking on the door for promotion over the past couple of seasons having finished fourth and fifth. Hopefully we’ll get there this time.

“I don’t care too much how we manage it. Even if we only win by one point, that’ll do for me.”

Hales will have to dig deep as they will be missing front row players Sam Jones and Lewis Padian, lineout specialist Tom King and back Ollie Raynor all through injury, while Andy Robinson is away skiing.

Cox said: “We’ll be a bit patched up but we’ll put out a decent side. We’ve beaten Scunthorpe at home for the past two seasons, but I believe they are a better side now.”