BLACKBURN Hawks player-coach Steve Duncombe believes his confident charges can cap a remarkable second half of the season with play-off success this weekend.

The Hawks were battling against relegation from the NIHL Moralee Conference a matter of months ago but a strong finale to the league campaign saw them secure a third place finish and a shot at glory.

Duncombe’s men begin their play-off campaign against Billingham Stars in Sheffield this afternoon (1.30pm) with the Hawks chief backing his men to go all the way.

“I wanted to get Billingham in the play-offs,” said Duncombe of the side who finished one place above Hawks in the final table.

“I think we have the edge over them at the moment. I think both teams will set up well to try and win it but I do believe that we are capable of beating them.

“There is a lot of confidence in the group at the moment and the belief we have is incredible. We were bottom of the table not so long ago so to finish third is already an incredible achievement but I want to win the play-offs now.”

The other semi-final sees champions Solway Sharks, who lost just twice in 24 league games, face Solihull Barons (7.30pm) but Duncombe insists his side have the belief to down the Scottish side should a final between the two materialise.

He added: “I think everyone is backing Solway to win it this year and we can go under the radar a little bit.

“We have beaten Solway before and in knockout hockey it could come down to who wants it more – and no-one wants it more than me.”

The Hawks will be backed by a sizeable travelling contingent in Yorkshire and Duncombe called on those fans to play their part.

“Our fan base is amazing,” he added. “There is no other club in our league like it and I have played in the EPL and we have more fans than a lot of those clubs.

“It is great to play in front of a full stadium every week and it does make a big difference, and hopefully we will take a lot of fans to Sheffield and give them something to celebrate.”

The weekend will be Duncombe’s first taste of play-off action as a coach in his debut season in charge at Blackburn and while he has yet to pen a deal for the 2017-18 campaign he is keen to stay on.

“Nothing is signed but I think I will be staying,” added Duncombe who was named Hawks coach earlier in the season following the departure of Matt Darlow.

“I want to stay and take the job and I want to do it from the start of the season and run things my way from the beginning. I have learnt a lot and want to continue.”

Hawks have a full squad to choose from for the play-offs, with Ollie Lomax returning from suspension in last week’s league defeat to Deeside while Chris Butler is also fully fit after injury.