York City Knights coach James Ratcliffe has labelled their Championship 1 Qualifying Semi-Final as the biggest game of the season.

The Knights travel to Keighley and Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York it is a massive game for the club.

"Other than the club being promoted before it's certainly the biggest game since I've been involved with the club.

"This is a new season now as the league season is over and it's like a little mini season."

The losers of the game will have a second bite of the cherry next week in the final eliminator match. They will play either Oldham or Hunslet.

It's a massive test for us to go to Cougar Park and take the semi final off them James Ratcliffe

However Ratcliffe does not want to take that route in their bid to reach the Grand Final at Warrington on 4 October.

"We don't want to get in the 50/50 chance. We want to make sure we go through on the first shot.

"We don't want to start getting in to the second chances because anything can happen then.

"We want to take our opportunities when we can this week and get over what will be a really tough opponent in Keighley and get to the Grand Final.

"They're not second in the division for no reason. They've been consistent throughout the year which every team strives for and every coach strives for.

"Barry Eaton's got a very able side there, a big pack with two really good half backs and they've got some decent outside backs as well.

"It's a massive test for us to go to Cougar Park and take the semi final off them.

"It's cup football now. It's 80 minutes of rugby and it's who's best on the day."

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