LEIGH-on-Sea will be looking cement their place as Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Two promotion contenders with a victory against second-placed Belhus this weekend.

The seaside town will welcome Belhus to Chalkwell Park tomorrow, looking to pick up where they left off after a conclusive win last time around against Gidea Park & Romford, winning by 55 runs.

Leigh captain Dean Waller says he is confident heading into the important clash, with a run of three straight wins installing a ‘new sense of confidence’ in his players.

“It is a big game, which goes without saying, but when you cobble a few wins together the mood gets better around the camp and the boys feel more comfortable at the crease.

“We will also have a few more of the boys come back into the side who missed our last win. We will have Sean Elliot and Joe Sexton back which will give us an added edge.”

Waller will be looking to replicate his fantastic score of 125 against Gidea Park & Romford last weekend with a similar score tomorrow, although the weather forecast does not look good.

“I got 191 last year against Hutton which was very pleasing and I aim to continue in the same vein in the next match.”

Elsewhere in the division Westcliff will continue their search for a first win of the season against Orsett, an imposing task as the Thurrock side currently sit third in the division.

Graham Cox’s Westcliff are without a win in eight league games, and prop up the table having lost six of those matches. Cox knows a win is becoming increasingly important if his side are to avoid dropping back into Division Three.

Billericay, who set the early season pace as far as the south Essex sides were concerned will be eager to get back on the winning trail after two frustrating games. They lost at home against Leigh a fortnight ago before their game at Horndon-on-the-Hill was abandoned before Billericay had batted 25 overs.

Skipper Stewart Rutland says a win against Fives & Heronians will do his side wonders, with a number of the other teams showing signs of progress in the division.

Horndon are the other side in the division currently winless. However, in their eight matches, they have had three abandonments and one draw with signs of encouragement in recent weeks.

They currently occupy the relegation spots with Westcliff at the moment, 26 points off Fives & Heronians in eighth position, and risk being cut adrift as the weeks go on.

They have the toughest possible assignment this weekend, travelling to leaders Hornchurch who have won seven of their eight matches.