It should come as no surprise that North Albury are seeing their hard work pay off this season, according to bowler Brandon Purtell.
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The ladder leaders will look to retain their position heading into the Christmas break, as they enter a top of the table clash with Albury this weekend.
"I think we're a bit surprised with where we're sitting, but we've been working pretty hard, so realistically it shouldn't be a surprise to us," Purtell said.
"The last couple of seasons we've been pushing into Christmas and finals in fifth or sixth spot.
"To go into the Christmas break on top of the ladder would be more than ideal for us."
Albury are coming off the back of a round 11 win against East Albury, while North Albury fell to Lavington.
Purtell's expecting another tough encounter this weekend.
"They (Albury) come across as one of the sides to beat this year," he said.
"They bat pretty deep and they've got a lot of good bowlers in their side, so it should be another tough one."
North Albury have only experienced one loss so far this season.
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Purtell said it's been a good chance to see where the team has some room for improvement.
"I just think we need to put more runs on the board and have a bit more ownership over our wicket," he said.
"Wides and extras always hurt, but we're bowling pretty well as a unit."
Purtell has been handy with the ball, taking 13 wickets for North Albury so far this season.
However, he admitted he still has areas in his own game he'd like to improve.
"My bowling's my strength and I've been doing that pretty well this year, but I'd like to put some more runs on the board," he said.
Teammate Jake Burge is topping the Provincial table for bowling averages.
Purtell believes Haydyn Roberts is also having a breakout season for the club with the ball.
"He's just been unlucky not to take a few more wickets," he said.
Fellow North Albury cricketer Ash Borella is also starring with the bat this season, with 270 runs to his name so far.
Albury and North Albury will meet at Billson Oval on Saturday.
In other CAW Provincial clashes on the weekend, Lavington will take on Corowa at Lavington Sports Ground Oval two, St Patricks will meet East Albury at Xavier, Wodonga Raiders will battle Tallangatta at Rowen Park and Wodonga and Belvoir will go head-to-head at Les Cheesley Oval.
New City has a bye.
After 10 rounds, North Albury and Albury are joined in the top six by Belvoir, East Albury, St Patricks and Corowa.
