THE time for impassioned speeches might nearly be passed, but Lydney remain unfazed.
The Severnsiders take on powerful Hartpury RFC in their final National League Two South relegation battle tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
Only victory will be enough to keep Duncan Bell's men in with a shout of avoiding the drop.
Relegation rivals have two games left to Lydney's one, hosting Dings Crusaders tomorrow before travelling to Taunton Titans a week later.
Lydney chairman John Nelmes said the club's plans for the future will continue apace whatever happens tomorrow.
But he backed head coach Bell's men to produce a gritty showing against third-placed Hartpury.
Nelmes explained: "We're definitely in a period of rebuilding and we totally appreciate that.
"All the players and coaches can do at this point is throw everything they have into tomorrow's game, and just see where that leaves us afterwards.
"It's a huge contest purely because it's a derby game, but then you add in the significance of the league situation and it's on another level.
"The squad has battled hard, and will just go out and do the same again tomorrow.
"There's not much more to be said than that, we've just got to get on with it now."
Hartpury head coach John Barnes has warned his side to expect a fraught encounter with Lydney ready to scrap for everything.
After thumping Clifton 72-3 last weekend though, Barnes' men are in high spirits and keen to round off their campaign with another victory.
Barnes said: "Derby games
are always tough, no matter what time of the season they are.
"Lydney are currently sitting in the relegation places and only a bonus point win against us will give them hope of avoiding the drop.
"I expect them to come fully focused and we need to make sure we show them respect and perform as well as we did against Clifton last week.
"After my first full season as head coach, I'm really looking forward to progressing the squad and moving forward again to achieve a high finish next year.
"We've had a really good season and that's shown with our highest finish to date.
"It's disappointing not to be in the top two but we haven't beaten the top two teams in the four matches we've played, so we can't complain."
