DIVISION ONE: Southend & EMT are hoping to force their way back into the promotion push when they go to Hutton tomorrow.

Southend are currently sixth in the standings but remain just 21 points behind second-placed Hadleigh & Thundersley.

And Southend skipper Joe Robbins has not given up hope of closing the gap.

“It’s another big game for us because we know a win would put us within touching distance of the top two,” said Robbins.

“But with the league being so tight, defeat could see us third from bottom.

“Hutton are a decent side and lie two places above us in the league, so it will be a hard game.

“We drew with them at our place earlier on in the season so we’ll be looking to go one better Saturday and get the 20 points.”

Southend saw off Wickford by 102 runs last weekend to send Wickford into the relegation zone.

They now face a crunch clash with seventh-placed Woodford Wells this weekend. And skipper Andy Baker is demanding a vastly improved performance.

“This is another massive must-win game for us,” said Baker.

“We need to regroup after a very poor performance last weekend and we need to make sure we come out fighting.”

At the other end of the table, Hadleigh remain in second place.

However, they were beaten by four wickets against Harlow last weekend and are now just five points clear of third-placed Buckhurst Hill.

As a result, Hadleigh will be desperate of getting back to winning ways when they host eighth-placed Hainault & Clayhill at their John Burrows base.

Hadleigh bowler David Williams said: “There are seven games to go now and we are still well-placed.

“It really is one game at a time now, every game is a big game and we can’t really afford to slip up, with Buckhurst Hill really close behind in third.

“Obviously having lost the last two weeks it’s not ideal preparation but we are back at home again, so if we do all the right things and execute our skills then we should pick up the 20 points.”