THE All Saints’ College first XI have started their 2014-15 season in fine style with a strong win in a trial match against St Andrew’s Cathedral School on Saturday at Watson Oval.

Coming off two straight title wins in the Independent Schools Association second division competition, All Saints’ have taken the step up to first division this season and were looking to blow out some cobwebs in the fixture.

Playing against a side who are still in division two and on their home ground, the hosts would have wanted to show some good early form. That is exactly what they did.

They restricted St Andrew’s to a total of 8-187 from their 50 overs, and were able to run the score down with four wickets in hand and four overs up their sleeve.

“It was a good result, we were very happy with the chase,” Saints coach Spencer Goddard said.

“We had a plan to try and be fairly sensible early and not lose wickets, and we were 1-44 at the first drinks break after 17 overs, so that was a good solid start.

“At the second break we were 3-120 after 34, so we needed to go at about four an over from that point and we ended up doing it quite comfortably.”

The most influential player on the field was Saints all-rounder Tom Galvin, who got his team off to a fine start with the ball and backed it up with the bat.

He claimed 3-20 and got good support from Nolan Parker, who bagged 2-22.

During the chase, Josh Wilcox was in good form early on as he made 38 at the top of the order. Galvin played a crucial role in helping hold the middle order together.

As Goddard explained, he will be a key factor in ensuring they compete well in the higher grade.

“Tom is definitely a leading player, we’re a strong team from one to 11, but he’s certainly one of the strongest,” the coach said.

“Last summer he hit a lot of runs but he was actually keeping wickets for us. This season he’ll be bowling and he has a lot of ability.”

In their first campaign after the offer of promotion, it would be easy for the coach and his players to aim at simply being competitive week to week. However, Goddard has his sights set a little bit higher than that.

“We want to make the semi-finals, and if I didn’t think we could achieve that, I wouldn’t have taken the team up,” Goddard said.

“The core of the team has been together for about three seasons now and though it is a big step up for everyone, I know that they’re capable of it.

“We have one more trial in a couple of weeks against the Bathurst under 16s representative side, and then we start off with an away game against Oakhill College.

“I don’t think they had the greatest season in 2013-14, but they are a very big school with about 1400 or so boys and I’m sure they’ll be tough to beat. We’re going to give it our best shot though.”