"THE game against Birkenhead Park last September was the first step on our long journey to promotion and league champions, and Saturday should provide the icing on the cake at that journey's end, when hopefully we will achieve the feat of going undefeated through the whole league programme," says Kendal Director of Rugby Chris Hayton.

"We are not underestimating Sheffield, who kept us to a seven-point margin in our first fixture, but rather the opposite. We are determined to treat them like our cup final to ensure a fitting finish for both ourselves and the faithful who have travelled with us along this memorable road.

"We want everyone to say in future 'I was there.' "The season has been unbalanced with only four home league fixtures since Christmas, so the fans deserve something tomorrow.

"The journey gathered momentum with difficult away wins in the first quarter at Penrith, Middles- borough and Huddersfield, but home wins against Darlington, Liverpool St Helens, and Altrincham - all by over 40 points - gave us the belief and confidence to go for it.

"The top spot has proved a difficult position to defend, but players and coaches have adapted to produce this Saturday's finale.

"Last Saturday was typical of the defence and will-to-win needed when Altrincham Kersal took an early lead, fought to extend it and then defend it.

"Fortunately our own drive was sufficient to end their effort and their presence in North One, as defeat meant relegation for them.

"It has been a pattern repeated in many of our games. Once again great work by our pack and great defence by our backs was the key to that victory.

"Dan Stephens was suffering from a bad case of tonsillitis and will face a fitness test on Thursday to assess his condition. Hopefully he will be fit as his position at the helm, fly-half, directing our play has been the GPS which has kept us on course for Saturday's grandstand finish."