TODAY'S edition of the Daily Liberal's Whitney Cup mid-season report card brings us into the top two sides of the competition and sitting second currently is powerhouse RSL-Colts.
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The most successful club of the last decade suffered a dip in form last season as they fell short of a grand final spot but after a slow start to this season they seem to be returning to the kind of dominant form local cricketers have come to expect.
After a solid win over CYMS in round one Colts suffered losses to both Newtown and Rugby but since then they have racked up three consecutive victories over Macquarie, South Dubbo and then defending premiers Rugby.
It hasn't come to a surprise to many in the cricketing circles that Colts' resurgence has coincided with the return of talented English all-rounder Greg Buckley.
After starring for Colts during their 2012-13 title winning he campaign he has returned and added real stability to a top order already featuring the likes of Paul Hulthen, Jason Ryan and Chris Morton.
Hulthen has been a revelation this season, converting a number of starts and helping get his side off to a strong start while there has also been contributions from Matt Keenan, Nathan Jones and Wes Giddings.
The batting is a real strong suit for Colts but to win the title this year they're going to have to regularly bowl teams out and depth with the ball will be their one concern.
Tim Cox is proving this week at the Australian Country Cricket Championships that he remains one of the finest bowlers in all of country NSW while in Buckley and Giddings Colts have two spinners who can not only take wickets but also restrict runs.
Hoping Cox stays healthy and injury-free and finding a consistent new ball partner for the representative star will be top of Colts' wishlist for the rest of the season while the only other slight concern has been a number of dropped catches, something nearly every side in the competition can to relate to.
With a batting lineup as strong as any in the competition and genuine wicket-takers with the ball Colts are well aware they can win the title this season.
The perennial finalists are exactly where they want to be. The rest of the competition should be wary from here on out.
