St Albans is revelling in its early domination of the Victorian Turf Cricket’s north A1 division.
The Saints have two outright wins to their name, with a combination of blistering batting and unplayable bowling lifting the club into outright top spot on the ladder.
After four rounds, St Albans has lost only 19 wickets, a clear competition low.
But the Saints aren’t reading too much into their early success.
Club president Ian McKenzie said his players were fully aware they are about to enter a season-shaping month, with matches against fellow finals contenders Taylors Lakes and Merlynston Hadfield on the horizon.
“It is so important to bank as many points as we can early,” McKenzie said.
“The next few games will decide a lot for us. We want to know that we can compete with the best teams in the competition.
“The boys are in form so there are no excuses. We are really looking forward to seeing how we go against a couple of quality sides.”
Spreading the workload has been the key to the Saints’ success.
English import George Wells has been unstoppable with the bat, scoring 264 runs at an average of 66.
His partner in crime has been fellow top order gun Geeth Alwis, who highlighted his credentials as a danger to bowling attacks everywhere when he smashed 152 against Jacana in round four.
Alwis has also been lethal with the ball, taking 11 wickets while Tom Langley-Dunn has taken a team-high 15.
McKenzie said it was great to have contributors lining up.
“Our depth is sensational this year,” he said. “If anything we thought we might be a bit thin on bowling. George has come out from England after not bowling for a couple of years because of a back injury. His back is fine and he is doing really well.
“They are all chiming in … the boys have shared it around really well against the sides that have been put in front of us.”
St Albans’ good form continued at the weekend with a crushing win over St Francis de Sales.
The Saints bowled St Francis de Sales out for 89 and were 5-134 at the close of play.
With a lead of 45, St Albans will be hunting an outright win this week.
