Skipper Richard Oliver has helped Geelong City to make a flying start to their Geelong Cricket Association First Division campaign.
Worcestershire opener Oliver has scored a century and a half century in the opening three games – all of which have been won by Geelong.
They lead the table with 18 points – six more than second placed St. Joseph's.
But this weekend marks the start of the-two day fixtures with Geelong City away to bottom club Geelong West who have lost all three 50 over matches to date.
Geelong City overcame visiting Grovedale last weekend with Oliver, who scored 65, happy with the victory against strong opponents.
He said: "They have had the upper hand on us in both previous meetings since I've been at the club. Both times we staved off losing outright by one wicket. We knew we were in for a tough game of cricket and prepared accordingly.
"We started off by losing the toss on a pretty good looking wicket at Shark Park, on a humid morning, the visitors duly opting to bat.
"We started well taking a wicket with the first delivery of the game and, with some good close catching in particular, were more than satisfied to bowl them out for 144 although we were quite sloppy with the ball and in the field at times despite some brilliance along the way.
"The chase started quite slowly as the sun began to break through the clouds and although we lost my opening partner Sammy Herbison with the score on 19, we had little trouble chasing the required total inside 28 overs.
"Some powerful striking from the in-form Tommy Elliot, ably supported by myself, enabled us to put together a match winning second wicket stand of 90. Elliot took us home with 60 not out after I holed out for 65 with 20 odd runs to get.
"It was nice to win so convincingly against a strong side who will no doubt be in the shake up for the finals by March.
"To back that up our other three sides got over the line against the same opposition, so a fantastic day for the club with the clean sweep."
Oliver and his team-mates took a break from preparing for this weekend's game to witness the Geelong Cup race meeting in mid-week.
He said: "Wednesday saw the highlight of the Spring calendar. A scorching day by the bay was enjoyed by a good squad of City Sharks, alongside 16,000 other racegoers.
"The main event was won by a horse called 'The Caravan Rolls On' – say no more!" – a reference to the fact Oliver resides in a luxury riverside caravan while playing at New Road.
GEELONG CRICKET ASSOCIATION DIVISION ONE
P W2 W1 D L1 L2 WKTS LOST RUNS FOR WKTS TAKEN RUNS AGST POINTS PTS RATIO %
1 Geelong City 3 0 3 0 0 0 13 582 30 507 18 6.000 2.6491 U
2 St Josephs 2 0 2 0 0 0 11 442 18 326 12 6.000 2.2186 U
3 East Belmont 2 0 2 0 0 0 8 425 16 419 12 6.000 2.0286
4 North Geelong 3 0 2 0 1 0 15 417 29 417 12 4.000 1.9333
5 Bell Post Hill 3 0 2 0 1 0 24 541 24 518 12 4.000 1.0444
6 South Barwon 2 0 1 0 1 0 12 496 13 497 6 3.000 1.0812
7 Lara 3 0 1 0 2 0 30 456 24 549 6 2.000 0.6645 U
8 Grovedale 3 0 1 0 2 0 25 606 16 605 6 2.000 0.6411
9 Murgheboluc 2 0 1 0 1 0 19 335 13 384 6 3.000 0.5969 U
10 Leopold 2 0 0 0 2 0 20 354 18 391 0 0.000 0.8148 U
11 Newtown & Chilwell 2 0 0 0 2 0 18 315 8 345 0 0.000 0.4058
12 Geelong West 3 0 0 0 3 0 23 610 9 621 0 0.000 0.3844
A host of other county players will be in action Down Under this weekend.
Ben Cox and Jack Shantry will be looking to help Greenvale Kangaroos bounce back from two defeats last weekend when they entertain Casey-South Melbourne in a Victorian Premier Cricket Bartercard Men's Premier Firsts encounter.
Cox and Shantry have both been in good form with the bat while Shantry, who this week signed a new three year contract with Worcestershire, has bowled economically.
Ross Whiteley will be looking to follow up last weekend's century against Adelaide University when Prospects CC entertain East Torrens in a South Australian Cricket Association 'A' grade clash.
All-rounder Joe Leach's North Canberra Gungahlin are at home to ANU in an Australian Capital Territory first grade match. In the same competition, Ed Barnard will be in action for Queanbeyan away to Ginninderra.
His England Under-19 team-mate Joe Clarke will play for South Perth away to Gosnells in the Western Australian Cricket Association first grade encounter.
Alex Hepburn will be involved in a WACA second grade match for Willetton Dragons home to Rockingham-Mandurah.
Tune in to the Worcs CCC website during the weekend to find out how the county's players are performing for their respective clubs.
