NPL last day battle for survival

survival as the final round of matches are played in the 2014 Notts Premier League season.

Welbeck Colliery are best placed of the three candidates, despite their woeful form over the second

half of the season, and eight points from their home fixture with Radcliffe-on-Trent will keep them safe.

They gained only one point from the corresponding fixture in round 11 so will be hoping Radcliffe repeat last weekend’s batting display.

Ordsall Bridon benefited from their match being abandoned last week as it lifted them clear of Mansfield Hosiery Mills.

They travel to Derby to take on Rolls Royce Leisure and the in-form Dan Birch.

It’s a simple equation for Bridon, 14 points, or no more than six fewer than whatever MHM

get and they survive.

It was an unbeaten 131 from Mr Birch that saw Rolls run out winners earlier in the year.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills are the team who need all the help. They host Kimberley Institute knowing

that even a repeat of their earlier five wicket win guarantees nothing.

Whatever points Ordsall gather from their game, the Millers need to get at least seven more, which would leave both tied and give MHM the edge on tie-break.

Away from the relegation scrap it’s all about the minor places. Plumtree host champions Cuckney,

hoping to profit from any hangovers to maintain second place and the kudos of having most wins for the season.

Five points will do the former, avoiding defeat the latter. No matter what, the Plumdogs can finish no lower than fourth.

Deposed champions West Indian Cavaliers can pip Plumtree to second should they slip up, as they welcome Caythorpe to Birchover Road.

Caythorpe could take second themselves, but securing four points more than Cavs would guarantee fourth.

Either of these sides could find themselves anywhere been second and sixth come the end of the day.

The NCB Academy side are also in the mix to finish somewhere between second and sixth, as they

travel to Clifton Village for their final game.

At the mid-point of the season Academy looked likely to be battling the drop, so it’s been a stunning turnaround.

Clifton topped the table for three weeks early in the season and have maintained top six status all season.

All games are scheduled to start at noon.