In last Thursday’s Namoi Valley Independent, new Mornington captain Sam Lumby spoke of how he was “sick of losing”. “I don’t think we’ve won a game in two years up there,” he had said.

Fast forward to now, and Lumby’s words are laced with confidence after Mornington produced a credible performance on day one of their two-day clash against Albion at Wolseley Oval.

Ninety-six runs. That is what Mornington have to score to secure a major morale-boosting win over Albion – and they have eight wickets left to do it.

On Saturday afternoon they will resume at 2-59, chasing 154.

Mornington still has a lot of work to do to get the win, but the side will go into day two with renewed confidence.

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Lumby said Mornington produced one of their better performances “in quite some time” on day one, after turning up to the match with an enhanced attitude.

It was a stark difference, he said, to last season when “you just didn’t want to be there”.

“But yeah, we rocked up [last Saturday] with a good attitude. You know, keen to play … If you’re not keen to play, well, your head’s not there. It’s [winning] never gonna happen, is it?”

This is Lumby’s third match in charge. He did not expect to be “thrown the reins” but appears to be growing into the role. He believes that the extra responsibility is bringing the best out in him.

“I was only gonna play a few games again this year, but this [being captain] has made me think, ‘Well, I better switch on a bit more myself’. I really don’t know about the rest [of the players].

“They must just be keen for their cricket, and so far I mustn’t be p****** anyone off too much … Whether that’s got anything to do with it, I really don’t know.

“Little baby steps at the moment.

“We still haven’t got what will be our full-strength team on the paddock yet.”

Last Saturday Albion reached 2-65 off 15 overs, with opener Zach Martin going on to score a 52-ball 54.

But they stumbled in losing three quick wickets.

Mornington will resume their innings with Justin Carter (23) and Jamie Mitchell (seven) at the crease.

Lumby believes that Albion quick Brad Jenkinson has a shoulder injury that may blunt his venom.