Manager Nigel Richardson is doing his utmost to quell discussions of back-to-back promotions being achieved at West Norfolk.

The North Wootton outfit, who won Greene King Eastern Counties Division One last season, have adapted excellently to higher-level rugby and sit third – just five points behind second-placed Cantabrigian. If they can close the gap and leapfrog the side directly above them in London Three North East by the end of their remaining nine matches, the North Wootton club will be moving up the pyramid again.

However, ahead of tomorrow's home test against Lowestoft & Yarmouth, fifth, Richardson admits the 'P-word' is barely being talked about when he's within earshot at Gatehouse Lane.

The West boss said: 'It's been bantered about between Larry (Lawrence Savage, captain) and I a few times but that's about it. We've tried to keep a lid on it really.

'We don't want people getting too carried away and just want them to focus on trying to keep winning matches. I like to take things week by week. I'm more than happy where we are right now and what direction we're going in as a club. It's always good to push on but it's always nervous talking about going up anyway what with the step up in standard.

'So talking about promotion has been kept under wraps, although I know the lads can all do maths and work out where we are for themselves.'

West's gritty 21-17 victory at Beccles last time out helped them move nearer to Cantabs who suffered a surprise 25-21 home reverse against mid-table Stowmarket.

It was a positive start to the new year following a memorable 2014 that only contained a handful of defeats, including a 21-8 loss at Lowestoft earlier this term.

'They are very well organised and it's going to be a big game,' added Richardson, who welcomes back Lewys Weaver to his squad after the Welsh talent missed his team's last two fixtures.

'It's important for us to consolidate where we are and keep our momentum going forward. We lost at home (33-32 to Cantabs) in our last game before Christmas and it's never nice to lose at home. So we hope to get back to winning ways against Lowestoft & Yarmouth against a team we lost to away. I know the lads think we owe them one.'

In EC One, relegation-threatened Swaffham host Crusaders while Wisbech visit Thurston.