BILELRICAY'S Ross Poulton will be aiming to help his side surge closer to promotion when they face rock bottom Harlow this weekend.

Billericay head into the game sitting second in an incredibly close SNEL Division One table.

And Poulton - who played a key part in last weekend’s win against Belhus - is refusing to get too carried away.

“I honestly don’t think I have played in a league season like this before,” said Poulton.

“Less than 50 points covers top to bottom and I expect it to remain close all the way until the final game.

“You have some very good sides in and around the promotion places but it only takes a couple of wins from any side lower down the league and they will be right in contention so we aren’t taking anything for granted.”

Billericay - who were promoted from Division Two last season - saw off Belhus by five wickets last weekend, with Poulton a key figure.

The all-rounder took 6-57 with the ball before scoring 33 not out with the bat and he remains delighted to have secured another important victory.

“It is always pleasing to beat your local rivals, and especially one that contains some very good and dangerous players in the Joyce brothers and Billericay old boy Martin Guilbert,” he said.

“It was a massive positive for us to back up our win the week before with another professional performance.

“There were some great performances right through the side, especially from the bowlers, who restricted Belhus to 203 on a flat wicket, and also Paul (Walter) and Aaron (Curtis), who batted exceptionally to put us in a winning position.

“To be able to contribute in a performance like that was naturally very pleasing.”

Billericay are now just a point behind table-topping Orsett & Thurrock, but are only four points clear of third placed Hadleigh & Thundersley, who face sixth placed Belhus this weekend.

But Poulton is taking nothing for granted.

“Cautious optimism is how I would describe the mood of the side at the moment,” said the Billericay all-rounder.

“The form book this season seems to be going completely out of the window and anyone can beat anyone so we really can’t take anything for granted.

“We know we are in a good position heading into these final few weeks but we will just look to remain focused and try to put in another performance on Saturday in what will be a tough game.”