OULTON Park’s form on their return to the Cheshire County League’s top-flight has attracted admiring glances but captain Patrick Roberts insists that his side will not be getting carried away.

They extended a winning run to three matches in the Premier Division after beating Marple by 71 runs last weekend, rising to third in the table.

A creditable draw at champions Chester Boughton Hall, plus a victory at high-flying Toft, provides proof of their capability.

“People are talking about us,” Roberts told the Guardian.

“But we’re not taking any notice.

“It’s still early days, and from my point of view it’s important that we put together back-to-back performances – something we’ve not always done in the past.

“I want us to arrive home every Saturday knowing that we’ve done everything we possibly can.”

“If we do that, we’ll pick up points.”

Oulton Park won four titles in five years between 2005 and 2009.

However they were relegated shortly afterwards, and spent six seasons in the second division before securing promotion as champions last summer.

Roberts said: “Our goal is to establish ourselves again at the highest level and make sure we’re solid.

“I’ve got faith in the guys, and have no doubt they’re capable of doing well in the Premier Division.

“It’s true that we’re building momentum, but I don’t think there’s much between a lot of the teams we’ll come up against and games can change quickly.

“We’ll try to be the best we can in those key moments, something that worked in our favour [against Marple] when Muhammad Kashif took a wicket that changed the course of the match.”

Asked if he was surprised at how well Oulton Park had started the season, Roberts was clear.

Rather than point to morale-boosting results as a catalyst, he said careful preparation over the winter had been a bigger influence.

He added: “The lads worked incredibly hard on their game to be ready.

“Their togetherness is like no other team I’ve been part of – including football or rugby – and I believe that gives us an added 10 per cent.

“They don’t want to let themselves, or each other, down and that drives them on.”