West Bowling are seeking to maintain their impressive start to the Pennine League Championship Division when they welcome Kings Cross Park to Emsleys Rec on Saturday.

The return to their spiritual home, after the trauma of leaving the Bankfoot Oval, plus the introduction of a clutch of talented youngsters, has seen the green and whites off to a flier that has put them into second.

Assistant coach Mark Dunning is, however, keeping his feet well on the ground, saying: “We’re looking to build on the good start we have had and are thrilled by the attitude and commitment of the young squad.

“We have set some goals in-house and are a tight-knit group but neither the coaching staff nor the players are getting carried away with ourselves as we know there is a lot of hard work still to do.”

Prop Ryan Patchett and hooker Sam Whitehouse are back in contention after returning from injury.

Fourth-placed Bank Top Harriers face a tough home game against what can be a very rustic Nevison Leap.

In the Premier Division, Queensbury supremo Andy Senior is aware that the visit of bottom-of-the-table Thornhill Trojans could have a huge impact on their future ambitions. A win would double Bury’s points tally.

Senior welcomes Rob Hawthorne, Andy Walker and Gareth Crowther back into a squad which should have too much firepower, while Birkenshaw will be confident of leap-frogging Division One visitors Brighouse Rangers to move up the table.

Division Two Wyke have a long journey to West Craven Warriors. The black and whites, who fell to a surprise defeat at Dodworth last week, have Duane Platt and Liam Hay back in the ranks hoping to avoid a repeat. Clayton travel to Troydale Trojans.

Odsal Sedbergh look to be in line for a points bonanza at Division Three bottom outfit Wortley, and Division Four table-toppers Undercliffe will have a tricky encounter at Thornhill A.