IT has been a far more positive Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade season for College this time around, highlighted by the Eagles’ T20 final victory against St Andrew’s last month.

The Eagles have teased the Hamilton and District Cricket Association in recent seasons, and with the talent at the club, the potential is being realized in the 2021-22 campaign.

College sits third, with just three losses so far, the losses coming against St Andrew’s, Macarthur and Hamilton.

The club’s consistency and output has been much improved to date and Charles Murrie has led the way as skipper, not only with his attitude, but with bat in hand, smashing 387 runs in the first half of the season.

The aggressive batsman has enjoyed the inclusion of the T20 games into the regular season, as he could play with extra freedom, highlighted by a man of the match performance in the final of the shorter format.

Henry Bensch has stepped up and performed strongly in the top grade, grabbing 11 wickets to sit second on the club’s tally behind Ross Milne, who has one extra scalp.

Jason Schmidt is one bowler who has yet to peak this season and will be hoping his second half of the season brings more wickets, while the faster outfields and quicker and bouncier wickets should see Heath Schmidt get amongst the runs in the new year.

Bensch’s energy should help keep the team up and about and the Eagles will be eyeing off a top two finish and a push deep into finals in March.

With a balanced list that still has plenty of growth within, the sky is the limit for the high-flying Eagles.

Already in the top four and closing in on a finals spot and if the consistency can continue in the new year, College will be among the top Dundas Cup challengers, as the team looks to add to its trophy cabinet haul this season with an A grade premiership.