Despite just being deducted five points Cleckheaton are still runaway leaders and will take some catching, while five clubs realistically have a chance of achieving second spot.
Old Crocs are one of them sitting just one place and one point behind us in fifth place. Huddersfield YMCA and Pocklington are just above and play each other tomorrow - so whoever wins the Brinkburn encounter will certainly move up a place.
Both West and Crocs suffered narrow defeats last week. Crocs losing by just one point at home to Wheatley Hills, while we lost by two points at Pocklington despite going into an early 12-0 lead.
That capitulation didn't please Iain Dixon and Peter Robinson who became increasingly frustrated on the touchline as Pock wolrked their way back into the game. Stui Waites came agonisingly close with two late penalties either of which wouild have sneaked the points for us. The second attempt just glancing off the inside of a post.
We did come away with a losing bonus point and now look to carry on our unbeaten home run. Old Crocs will be a test, specially in the forwards, and we will have more big home games with Cleckheaton, Pocklington and Wheatley Hills all due to visit in the second half of the season when we will be at home seven times and away only five.
Anth Carr put in a tremendeous shift in his first start in two seasons last week, and will be given more opportunity to get match fit from the bench against Crocs with Ian Pinchen resuming.
Liam Bailey has work and family commitments for the next two weeks, which will help him rest a back and shouder injury, but fortunately Greg Edwards is able to return.
The club, however, currently has something of a backs crisis, mainly beacause of injuries and work commitments, so Davy Tighe once again comes back into the squad.
At 37 he is actually ten years younger than Old Crocs legend Andy Day who is close to playing 700 first team games for the Halifax side. A tremendous record for any player and specially for a prop.
Crocs will, however, be missing back rows Manny Riaz and Rob Oliver because of broken bones.
West: Colin Cheslin, Scott Butcher, Andrew Cheslin, Greg Edwards, Luke Mallinson, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter, Ian Pinchen,, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Owen Bennett, Michael Hogan, Dan Boatman [c], Jon Boatman, Sam Miller. Reps: Anth carr, Davy Tighe, Andrew Turner.
Old Crossleyans: Chris Vine, Chris Seymour, Jack Hammond, Neil Richardson, Joe Baker, Gareth Ott, Will Travis,Navneet Sembi, Richard Wheale, Andy Day, Kev McGill, Chris Wood, Tony Oxley, James Wainwright, Ryan Hammond (c). Reps: Gareth Sweeney, Ben Robinson, Raman Sembi.