HAVING won the last four Bradford Premier League (Premier Division) titles, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Woodlands Cricket Club may lose their winning touch eventually.

However, being the dominant champions they are, the side from Albert Terrace have started this season in the same emphatic way they finished off last year.

Victories against Farsley and Ossett in their opening two league fixtures have resulted in Woodlands taking an early two-point lead at the summit of Premier Division as they prepare to host Undercliffe today.

Club captain and New Zealand cricketer, Brad Schmulian, admitted that, despite a stop-start off season, he and his teammates are confident that they will produce some eye-catching cricket this year in a bid to claim their 5th consecutive league title.

Speaking to the T&A, he said: “There has been a bit of change over the off-season with Greg Finn (wicketkeeper) retiring and young Alex Kaye coming in as his replacement. He’s been really good so far.

“Then, we’ve had the difficulties with the weather, which has meant we’ve had to make use of the indoor nets.

“Fair play to the lads, though, as they’ve been making the most of a number of CrossFit sessions, so they’ve come back fit and are ready to attack the season head-on.”

Schmulian added: “In Farsley and Ossett, we’ve faced two strong teams. Farsley beat us towards the end of last season, so we were well aware of their strengths.

“For us, it was very important to start strongly and show our credentials early on, and I think we’ve done that by claiming two early-season victories against two good teams.

“There’s more challenges to come but we feel that we’re ready to match them in the coming months.”

Tim Jackson, who tends to open Woodlands’ batting alongside Sam Frankland, has scored 86 and 54 runs in the respective league fixtures, and Schmulian admitted that he’s loving his teammate’s form.

He said: “I’m delighted for him. He’s made a great start and I think he’d be the first to say that he’s not been at his best over the past couple of years.

“So, to have that head start this season can only bode well for him, as it gives him a platform to kick-on.

“Our performances are often based around the opening order starting well to give the rest a platform to go and score big, and Tim is a big part in that. I’m chuffed for him.

“I’m hoping he can push on and continue to enjoy his cricket, which he certainly is doing at the minute.”

Undercliffe travel to Albert Terrace today and, although the visitors are relatively unknown to the Woodlands captain, he is expecting a tough fixture.

He said: “I’d be lying if I said I was totally aware of all their strengths and weaknesses because, obviously, they’ve just been promoted to the Premier Division.

“I know a couple of their players and I know they have quality, for sure.

“You have to be doing something well to achieve promotion, so we need to be firmly on our game this weekend.”