CRICKET: Sam Handley is enjoying a positive start to the season as Hadleigh & Thundersley skipper.

Hadleigh are currently fifth in the Premier Division standings having triumphed in three of their first five games.

And Handley is pleased with how things have gone so far.

“I think it’s been a positive start,” said Handley, who took over as captain this summer.

“We have had a lot of cricket in the past month so to lose a couple of games here and there was expected.

“However if I was offered three wins out of five in the league and three wins in the national at the start of the season I definitely would have taken it so we have to be pleased with how it’s gone so far.

Handley would certainly have taken Saturday’s success too as he led his side to an impressive seven wicket win against Belhus at the John Burrows Ground.

Hadleigh bowled their opponents out for just 85 before passing the required total for the loss of just three wickets.

And Handley was delighted with the win.

“I’m very proud of the way we went about our cricket on Saturday,” said Handley.

“We had a few issues going against us before a ball was bowled at the weekend and I thought the way the boys pulled together was fantastic to see.

“I thought Olly Smith’s knock to see the boys home was mature and exactly what we needed from a senior player too.”

Hadleigh will now be looking to build on the victory when they host Brentwood this weekend.

And Handley has labelled the match as one of the most important of the entire campaign.

“Brentwood in my eyes is one of the biggest games of the season,” said Handley.

“We have had some great battles against them over the past few years and definitely a fixture as a club we always are up for.

“I’m expecting a tough game against a talented side.

“But at our ground I think we can beat anyone and we proved that last year.”

Hadleigh will now be looking for more of the same this season.

But Handley is not looking too far ahead.

“I think we still need to take it one game at a time,” said Handley.

“We have lost a couple of games this year where I think we have got too ahead of ourselves.

“The next month is crucial changing into the red ball format.

“With the possibility of draws now coming into the equation things can change quickly and we have to be one of the teams that capitalise on that.”