IT has taken only six matches for David Smith to nearly pass the total number of runs he scored in every game last season.

The former Walkden all rounder who switched to the professional ranks at Heaton this season has found his touch again.

Long considered the best amateur player in the league, his performances at Walkden were disappointing by the high standards he has set over the years.

In 25 innings he scored only 429 runs with a top score of 68. That's all changed this season with 422 runs flowing from his bat already.

And to prove that his move to Lower Pools has been of mutual benefit, Heaton are now riding high at the top of the table.

"It's still only early days but things are going well for both me and the team at the moment.

"The players are all doing well, there's a good spirit in the dressing room and it's looking good."

Smith feels that after spending the bulk of his career at Walkden the move was the right thing to do at the time.

"I had started to get stale. I needed to prove myself and I wanted a new challenge.

"Heaton have given me that chance and I'm determined to make the most of it."

Although Smith is mindful of the fact that the season is only just taking shape, he feels the signs for Heaton are looking good.

"We are not taking anything for granted but we have come up against clubs like Tonge and Westhoughton who you feel will be in the thick of things at the end of the season and we have done all right.

"But the next two games against form teams Little Lever and Egerton will probably prove one way or the other what's in store for us.

"I feel quite confident though. We are in good shape and and if we can stick together when we come up against any low points during the season then we could be thereabouts at the end."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.