HEWORTH ARLC are 80 minutes away from back-to-back promotions - and coach Scott Rhodes is confident they can do it if they improve on last week.

On Saturday, the Villagers demolished Drighlington 68-16 in the National Conference League division three play-off semi-final - and this weekend host Dewsbury Celtic at Elmpark Way (Saturday, 2.30pm) in the final.

If Heworth win, it would cap off a fine campaign and represent another milestone for the resurgent club.

After storming to the Yorkshire Men's League division one title in 2018, the Villagers were accepted back into the NCL - a competition whose progenitor, the National League, they had been a founder member of, and one of its most successful teams, before withdrawing in 2015.

And with 803 points scored in the regular 2019 season - second only to West Bowling's 891 throughout the whole of the NCL - Heworth finished third in division three in their first season back in the country's elite amateur competition.

All that stands in their way on their path to division two is Dewsbury, to whom Heworth lost in April before beating them in June.

"They're a good side," said Rhodes of the opposition. "They're probably better at their place than away from home.

"It'll be a hard, physical game. They've got a lot of capable players, their front row is solid and their nine is sharp.

"But it's not really about them. It's about how well we play and I'm pretty confident in our ability.

"We're the second highest-scoring team in the NCL. There's no doubt we can score points so we'll just see what it brings.

"We've got to go in there confident and give it everything.

"Hopefully, if we go in with the right attitude, we can come away with the win.

"We've come into some good form the back end of the season and it's because we're at full strength and we've kept that team.

"I thought last week was the best we've played all season. We were fantastic and hopefully we can beat that performance this week.

"If we can, I'm 90 per cent sure we'll come away with the win."

Even if they fall short, however, former York City Knights star Rhodes is adamant it will not put a dampener on the successes of this season, which included a remarkable 10-game winning streak.

"It's been a long season. We started in January so it's been a long road to get here but we've done fantastically well this season.

"The players have given everything, I can't ask for any more.

"We've finished third and we're in a final - I think it's been brilliant.

"There's been a lot of progression in this side as well. They're young players getting better and you can see that.

"We've got a fantastic junior set-up - the under-18s are getting better and four or five of the under-16s have gone onto junior academies.

"The big picture is the club is doing really well. Let's hope we can make it better with back-to-back promotions.

"In the 80s and 90s, Heworth were one of the best amateur teams and hopefully we can put some of those glory days back.

"Our committee are probably in their 80s now but they're all still there home and away.

"With them having seen the club in the dark times, it would be great if we were able to win the play-offs for them."