Whitehaven's semi-final with York City Knights on Sunday has been dubbed the club’s biggest game of the season.

The winners of the Recreation Ground clash will qualify for the final, putting them one game away from promotion.

Whitehaven set their stall out during the winter to put together the strongest squad they were able to following relegation from the Championship.

The squad was good enough to finish second behind champions Toronto Wolfpack over the regular season.

Chairman Tommy Todd said: “We have got what we wanted, a home draw in the semi-final of the play-offs.

"I believe that’s as big as anything we’ve played this season, bigger than the two games against Barrow.

“It really would be good to see the Recreation Ground bouncing again because I think the crowd can be as good as an 18th man.

“We felt we had put together a strong squad that would have a good chance of regaining our place in the Championship.

“That has been our aim throughout the season and, as we near it’s conclusion, the excitement and tension are building.

“I think there is a buzz round the town again and I know, at the club, we are all geared up for a home semi-final.”

Player-coach Carl Forster has expressed his disappointment that the two semi-finals are being played at the same time on Sunday.

“I think it’s great for the game in Cumbria that two sides are involved in the semi-finals," he said.

“To my mind, it would have been good if they could have been played on different days, so that more people could have watched them."

Barrow entertain Newcastle Thunder in the other semi-final and if the Craven Park side win, they will stage the final a week on Sunday.