TOMORROW is the big day for North Bristol Rugby Club as the Almondsbury-based outfit take on Solihull in the Powergen Junior Vase semi-final.

A huge crowd is expected at the club's Oaklands ground for the clash, which kicks off at 2pm, as the Midlands side comes to town.

So far this season, Gloucester Premier League side North's near immaculate record of just one defeat all season (a narrow loss away at Chosen Hill) has been matched exactly by Solihull's record of one defeat in the Midlands Four West (South) League. Both sides lead their respective leagues.

So far in the Vase this year, North have traveled across England to West Norfolk's ground in King's Lynn and also to Kent, where previously unbeaten Old Dunstonians were put to the sword by a 20-21 scoreline in a pulsating match.

Club captain Steve Bold has targeted the Vase as a great opportunity for the club to find success, and told the Gazette: "As strong league front runners this cup run could be the last real chance of such success for many players in the side as the next level up has a much harder route to HQ.

"Ours' is a real team ethic. It's togetherness and team spirit that have brought us any success."

Young 23-year-old Kiwi coach Tim Belcher is one of a number of recent additions at the club to make a big impact this season. He commented: "It's the romance of the cup that excites and motivates."

This has been a campaign where strength in depth in the backs has been invaluable for North. Dan Ridley and Nick Tatum contest the fullback berth and the club also has five top centres, with twins Ben and Jamie Walters the current first choices.

There are also five back rowers contesting three places with bulldozing number eight Nigel Smith leading the charge, blindside try-poacher Alex Featherstone always in close support and the rangy Jez Sherman enjoying an Indian summer of a career at open-side. Ross Wilson and Lee Martinson offer marvelous physical alternatives too.

But there are versatile wide players too, with the unselfish and stylish Mark Haslam always keen to link with others, and the man known as the mighty atom, Mike Lewis, streaking in for tries at every opportunity (he has ten to date). Direct running Richie Barton has eight tries, deep running Ridley has seven and the bludgeoning Ben Walters has eight as well to name but three of the club's top scorers. And there are plenty of others too.

While North's supporters will no doubt enjoy the club's hospitality for the big day, with food and drink available in the specially provided beer tent, the team will be giving their all to make Bristol Combination Club history and go all the way to Twickenham to carry off the Powergen Junior Vase.

L North Bristol have supporters all over the world who follow the club's web-site for reports and news and there have been several messages this week from as far away as Australia (from Nick Bull) and from Loukas Paraskeva in Germany (from Steve Arthur).