GRAHAM Kemp is hoping in-form Christchurch can continue their late charge towards the top two – by making Winchester wait for the title.

Priory host the champions-in-waiting tonight but still have plenty to play for themselves going into the closing stages of the Wessex League season.

Already in two cup finals, the Hurn Bridge outfit are also in with an outside chance of claiming the runners-up spot in the Premier Division.

Runaway leaders Winchester can seal the championship with victory in this evening’s clash at Christchurch (7.45pm).

But while Priory manager Kemp believes Winchester deserve to claim the crown, he is aiming to keep the champagne on ice by enhancing his own team’s prospects of overhauling rivals Bemerton, Hamble and Moneyfields in the battle to finish second.

Christchurch’s sixth consecutive league win on Saturday, together with defeats for Bemerton and Hamble, offered Kemp renewed hope.

Kemp told the Daily Echo: “Hamble and Bemerton both lost so, all of a sudden, our lads have got the bit between their teeth.

“We are in two cup finals so it could turn out to be an interesting last month of the season.

“We have left ourselves a lot to do and have got Winchester tonight – and they can win the title here – but we are still in with a chance of finishing in second position.

“Going into April, any team would be over the moon with that as well as two cup finals. It is an outstanding achievement by the lads.”

Kemp added: “Winchester are the best team in the league and they will win the league, whether that is tonight or the game after. They deserve it.”

Christchurch are set to be strengthened by the return of captain Dan Crutchley and midfielder James Burden. The duo missed Priory’s victory against Fareham last time out.

Priory: (from) Collins, Thompson, Legg, Taylor, Costello, Burt, Smith, Fairbrother, Harris, Osborne, Kittle, Cook, Cornick, Griffin, Lovell, Dand, Crutchley, Burden.

• Bournemouth Poppies welcome Blackfield & Langley to Victoria Park.

Boss Ken Vaughan has named an unchanged squad following the 3-1 home win over Newport (IOW) on Saturday.

A strong finish to the season could see Poppies force their way into the Premier Division top seven.

Poppies: (from) Frampton, Molyneaux, Jackson, Byrne, Crutcher, Leadbetter, Ingram, Cream, Watt, Ewen, Hogan, Brennan, Swann, Mas, Phillipson-Masters, Vaughan.