DIRECTOR of rugby Nick Bartlett says Lydney' s home match with Dings Crusaders this Saturday (3pm) is the club's biggest game in years.

With six weeks of the season to go, Lydney currently fill the third National Two South relegation spot – with Dings just above them.

If Lydney are to pull off another great escape they need to beat their rivals from Bristol.

Bartlett told The Forester: "There is so much at stake on this one and we need to reward our supporters, who have been outstanding all season.

"Lydney is still a great club to be part of.

"The players realise the responsibility on their shoulders – when the likes of Tony Wicks and Will Jones walk up the town they get reminded what rugby means to people, just like I do.

"Having said that, I'm conscious that the players shouldn't worry about all the history because things were a lot different in my day. It's no secret we've struggled financially and our hands are tied when it comes to paying players."

Lydney were just seconds away from a famous win in Launceston last Saturday.

However, they conceded a stoppage time try, which was converted, to lose by a single point.

Their misery was compounded when they discovered Dings had beaten Henley to open up a four point gap on them.

Bartlett said: "We made Launceston look average and if we play like that over the coming games we'll be absolutely fine.

"There is a lot of pressure on the players but they have to deal with that.

"If we lose to Dings we know that relegation is staring us in the face, but we've still got other winnable games and Hertford have dropped into the mix too.

"We've not played great at home this season so we need to put on a performance.

"The players need to do it for the supporters, who have been loyal and patient, but most of all they need to do it for themselves."