Sheepscombe skipper Tiaan Theron will be hoping to maintain his good early-season form when his side host Gloucestershire County League Division Five leaders Whitminster on Saturday.

Theron, who is in his first season as captain, has already hit a century and half-century as Sheepscombe have won three of their opening four completed league games.

“He’s going great,” said team-mate Iain Collins of the opening batsman. “He’s quite an elegant batsman, he’s a compiler of runs.

“I wouldn’t say he’s a big hitter although his 100 did come off around 100 balls and he went on to make about 130, so he went at a good rate.”

That century – he finished unbeaten on 129 from 110 balls – came in a 121-run win over Parkend last month, a week after the wicketkeeper made 66 in the six-wicket success against Minchinhampton.

Sheepscombe are currently fourth in the 10-strong division – one of their games was cancelled – and they trail Whitminster, who have won five out of five,  by 33 points.

“Whitminster are obviously a good side,” said 48-year-old Collins, a batsman who played his first game for the club at the age of just 10.

His dad Clive played for the club, as did his brothers Gareth and Sean, and Collins added: “At one time there were quite a lot of Collins’ in the team.”

And another one isn’t too far away from becoming a regular because Iain’s 11-year-old son George is a very decent cricketer.

George is part of the club’s youth set-up – his dad is youth coordinator – and it’s certainly thriving.

“We have the All Stars and Dynamos sessions and we also run teams at under-11. under-13 and under-15 age groups,” he said.

“The youth section is miles bigger than the adults.”

The adults run one Saturday league side – they finished third in Division Five last season – a midweek side and also play a handful of  Sunday games.

Collins, who has also played for Stroud and Frocester, believes Division Five is the right level for the club, adding: “On our day we have a very good team, but on another we may struggle.”

That has a lot to do with availability and Sheepscombe won’t be at full strength on Saturday.

“Nick Skelton, one of our ex-players, is getting married and quite a few of our players are going to the wedding,” said Collins.

But win or lose, it will still be a great day at Sheepscombe, one of the most stunning cricket grounds in the land.

“It’s beautiful,” said Collins. “I love going to Lord’s but I’d say Sheepscombe is prettier.

“It’s a major draw because parents say they love coming to the ground on Sunday mornings.”

And there are a few nice grounds in the area, of course,

“I really like Abergavenny and I like playing at Dumbleton,” said Collins. “But the best pitch to play on is at Cheltenham College.”