The Altona Roosters have exceeded their expectations so far for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield.
In their first season back up in division 1, the Roosters sit atop the table after nine rounds.
Vice-president Nathan Moon said they were really happy with how the season was tracking so far.
“We’re going well above expectations at the minute,” he said. “We definitely didn’t think we would be where we are this year.
“We’ve seen that the competition is really even and it’s one of the most even competitions I’ve seen in a while.
“We’ve done a lot of things right which is pleasing.”
Moon said despite sitting top they aren’t getting ahead of themselves. He said they will continue to take it week by week.
He said they wanted to keep ticking off the results and lock in a top four spot.
“Then we want to secure a home final,” he said. “We’re trying not to over complicate things, there’s still four or five games to go.”
On Saturday, the Roosters accounted for PEGS.
PEGS batted first on their home deck and made 8-212.
Moon said chatting with some of the first XI players, they believed that PEGS had left 30 to 40 runs out there.
Captain Ash Peters was the pick of the bowlers with 3-16 off six overs.
The Roosters made the runs in the second last over, finishing 4-213.
Nadeera Thuppahi continued his good form, top scoring with 67 not out.
Moon said they had a lot of different options that could stand up with the bat.
“Thuppy has made almost 500 runs and we have three or four players around the 300-400 mark.
“A couple might stand out one week, but we are not relying on too few, which is good.
“We’ve got some guys putting on some good scores.”
The Roosters face the Druids in their next match, in a two-dayer starting on Saturday.
The club already has one eye on the future, with the club advertising for a coach for next season.
It hasn’t had a coach this season.
“We haven’t got any nibbles yet,” Moon said. “Hopefully these positive results show where we are and we can attract someone.
“We are open to playing or non-playing, we’ll see who comes up in the expression of interest.”
In other Isaacs Howarth Shield results, Altona North continues on its way with a win against the Druids.
Altona North made 248 before restricting the Wizards to just 103.
Asela Aluthge top scored for Altona North with 62.
Footscray United and Seddon both suffered losses to Sunshine and Haig Fawkner respectively.
In the senior division, Yarraville Club beat St Albans with one ball remaining.
Chasing 8-179, the Clubbers finished 8-180.
Ash Sweet was the key down the order, finishing with 25 not out off 28 balls.
The Clubbers remain on top.
