And, the gifted opener, enjoying a rich vein of form in 2015-16, is keen to maintain that momentum in both fixtures.

Thrift smashed 48 against Denman in second grade in round seven, with the “firsts” having the bye.

Earlier in the season, he cracked 76 off 35 balls and backed that up with an unbeaten 59 in a representative fixture.

That’s three knocks for a total of 183 runs, at an average of 91.5.

He’s also racked up 14 sixes.

“I’m hitting the ball well,” he admitted.

“But, I adopt a simple philosophy, which I learnt from my dad, Greg.

“He says ‘see ball, hit ball’.

“And, it’s worked alright so far.”

Glendon faces a Valley side, who enjoyed a 60-run triumph over PCH, thanks largely to Jacob Carey’s 90.

“It will be a good game with plenty of runs,” Thrift said.

“Jacob’s [Carey] a top batsman and Simon White is due to get a score.

“However, we’ve got the bowlers, like Max Hiller, Aaron Brennan and Cael Smith, to do the job. 

“Our batting line-up also needs to fire; and you still have to field well.

“If that all falls into place, we’ll be fine.

“Plus, I’ll be joined by my dad [Greg] and brother [Daniel] in first grade this weekend.

“Usually, when we all get runs, Glendon thrives.

“I’m confident we can defend our title in 2015-16, especially with the players in our ranks.”

The 26-year-old operator at Rio Tinto’s Bengalla mine believes the sport is in excellent shape on a local level.

“With all the young blokes coming through the various clubs in town, it’s a good sign for Singleton cricket,” he told The Argus.

“There are a number of handy juniors in the region.

“That flows on to the senior competition – and our rep sides.

“One of the highlights this season was Singleton’s win at the expense of Newcastle City and Suburban in the John Bull Shield.

“It would be nice to keep that impetus going on Sunday against Upper Hunter [in the McDonald's Country Plate].”

Singleton District Cricket Association

Round eight draw (Saturday):

First grade – PCH v Creeks (Howe Park), Glendon v Valley (Cook 3), JPC bye

Second grade (T20 competition) –

A game (noon): JPC v Valley (Cook 4), PCH v Glendon (Cook 1), Souths v Denman (Olympic Park), RSL v Creeks (Victoria Park)

B game (3.30pm): JPC v Glendon (Cook 4), PCH v Valley (Cook 1), Souths v Creeks (Olympic Park), RSL v Denman (Victoria Park)

Third grade (T20 competition) –

A game (noon): JPC v Valley (Cook 5), PCH v Glendon (Cook 2), RSL v Creeks (Highbrook Park), Denman bye

B game (3.30pm): JPC v Glendon (Cook 5), PCH v Valley (Cook 2), Denman v Creeks (Highbrook Park), RSL bye

McDonald's Country Plate (Sunday)

Singleton v Upper Hunter (Howe Park)