Last Saturday’s hard fought victory over Canterbury secured OEs their National Two South status next season and ended a barren run of six league games without a victory in the process.

Combined with the Extras’ impressive 23-20 victory over a strong Barnes side, the win was a massive boost to confidence going into the final week of the season.

Now victory over Taunton is needed if the club are to secure a top eight finish. Such is the competitive nature of the division, depending on results on Saturday, three sides could leapfrog Elthamians at the finishing line.

Indeed, OEs could finish anywhere from sixth to 11th with just six points separating Bury St Edmunds in sixth place and Clifton in 13th.

“Last Saturday against Canterbury was mentally draining,” Lach said, “because so much was at stake for both sides it was reflected in the intensity of the game. You could see the immense sense of relief from everyone at the final whistle, and I thought our performance in the last 25 minutes was the best we’ve played this year.

“Now we’ve come to the end of what has been the longest, most challenging season I can remember and we need to pull together for one final push over the line against a very good Taunton side.”

The two sides met on the opening day of the season, when Taunton produced one of the best displays Elthamians have faced all season, winning 47-16.

“We have never beaten Taunton in three meetings at this level, they are a really impressive side,” Lach said, “so it would be fantastic to get another monkey off our back this season and go into the summer break on a high note.

“There will be mixed emotions as well on Saturday, because we are losing two fantastic servants of this club. Ally Vanner (pictured) and Jonny Williams, the only two captains during my time here, are retiring after Saturday’s game and they have been absolutely crucial to our success in the last six years.

"So we really want to win it for them and I hope there is a big crowd so we can send them off in the manner they deserve – with a really good performance and victory."