SUKH Dhilon believes Stoke Green CC's winning mentality can inspire them to a third consecutive promotion this season.

Stoke have improved drastically in recent years, rising from the sixth tier into the upper echelons of Thames Valley Cricket.

The Buckinghamshire club have 'exceeded all expectations' to top Division 3a at the halfway stage, a six-wicket defeat at Hayes the only blotch on their copybook.

And now, after a convincing 133-run win against Royal Ascot on Saturday, Dhillon argues that the title is now theirs to lose.

Speaking to the Observer a bullish skipper explained: "We had expectations of staying up but we're out-performing ourselves and are in a winning mould.

"We've got confidence all the way down the batting that someone will get runs.

"Winning is a habit for us. We're winning games we wouldn't have done a couple of years ago.

"Our team spirit is so high because we're all good friends on and off the field. We're winning games that we probably shouldn't. We all want promotion now.

"We're 13 points clear and it's in our hands, but we know Slough 2nds have got players back from the first team so it will be a battle." The Green's skipper hailed the performance of Kashif Nizami whose unbeaten 138 steered Stoke to victory last weekend. An 89-run partnership with 15-year-old Saqlain Basharat set the platform for a total of 226-8 declared.

"Kash batted really well," continued Dhillon, "It was really good to watch but he wasn't supported by the top order.

"He's is vital, a class apart. All the sides we play say he's the best batsman they've faced.

"We just have to bat around him. If he would've got out early we probably would've struggled to make 100 against Ascot." Richard Parker and Irham Mughal immediately set about attacking Royals' batting line-up, taking four wickets each and skittling the visitors out for just 93.

Dhillon added: "With our bowling attack we are always confident that, if we get anything over 200, we will have a good chance of winning.

"We bowled really well, Ascot were never in with a chance of getting the runs.

"Richard and Irham were both on hat-tricks at one point so we got wickets quickly, it was the easiest we found getting wickets." Stoke host Kew 2nds on Saturday (1pm start) looking to banish memories of an opening day 39-run defeat in London.

Looking ahead, Dhillon speculated: "We've got a bit of a rivalry with Kew but have got a full squad available to pick from for the first time this season.

"We've got a good chance and will win more than we lose in the second half of the year." **PICK up a copy of the Observer, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter @Observer_sports**