CAPTAIN Craig Phelan is confident Oakmere can improve after his side recorded followed a victory on the opening day with another at Middlewich last weekend.

They were perhaps second favourites after being restricted to 116-9 but Matt Norton’s five-fer, after he had contributed 29 with the bat, sent the their hosts spiralling to 73 all out.

It leaves them second in Cheshire League Division Two.

“Things have gone to plan as best they could,” Phelan told the Guardian.

“We stuttered a little with the bat on Saturday, but we were always confident defending a low total because of the strength we have in our bowling attack.

“I see no reason why we can’t continue to win games if we learn as we go along.”

Oakmere finished sixth last season despite a 10-match winning run between June and August.

However they have already shown greater resilience at the crease this time around, something Phelan hopes to rely on more often.

He added: “It’s encouraging for me to see our tail wag a bit more effectively; we bat further down the order now, and that’s going to be crucial.

“The fact that we do is down to the attitude of the guys at the club and the hard work they put in during training each week.”

Stretton visit Overdale Lane on Saturday.