National Sports Club's fairytale ride through the 1995 cricket season continues unabated.

A year ago the Devonshire club were the league doormats -- now they command red carpet treatment.

Unexpectedly Nationals have emerged as the Peter Pan of the Premier Division.

Few would have dared consider that an outfit consisting mainly of fringe players and others pried away from the semi-retirement haven of the Commercial Division could mount a challenge for the Premier title.

At this same stage a year ago they were second from the bottom with just one win against seven losses, most by comprehensive margins. They went on to finish with 13 defeats against that lone victory, a draw and one no result.

Now, possessing a few new parts, they stand in second place, only two points adrift of pre-season favourites Western Stars, with eight wins from 12 matches, including a three-wicket defeat of defending champs Bailey's Bay and just a single league loss, that being a seven wicket trouncing at the hands of former champions St. George's.

Even team captain Neil Speight was at odds this week to explain the reasons for the turnaround, except that it was as a result of "tremendous teamwork''.

"We've found a way of winning games and a lot of it comes from the great team spirit we have,'' said Speight, one of the main movers behind Nationals' return to the league last year after a year's hiatus because of dwindling player interest.

"We've had to put a lot of guys from different places together and they've responded and we also have those who picked up experience from last year, which has made them much better.

"I don't think there's any one thing in particular that one can point to for our success. There are a number of reasons and people that have helped. We've grown as a team, blended, harmonised and gained confidence and momentum from early on and built from there, but the team spirit has been excellent.'' Pre-season acquisitions of the likes of Dennis Trott and Quinn Outerbridge from now defunct Hamilton Parish, Brandon Woolridge from Flatts, brothers Jason and Darrin Lewis and Mark Ray from Devonshire have bolstered the batting and added the experience of proven veterans to the line-up.

They along with paceman David Gibbs, former Cup Match spinner Bruce Perinchief and Alan Corcoran, rapidly gaining recognition as a slow bowler of genuine class, make for a solid, if not awe-inspiring line-up.

Still, their primary aim this season was to rebuild with an eye on the future -- possibly a top eight finish in 1995 and then maybe aim for the Camel Cup next year.

Asked what he might have said to someone presenting the current scenario prior to the start of the campaign, Speight chuckled, then paused before saying: "I'd have certainly given them a high five and a pat on the back.

"I wouldn't have called them insane, but I would have been awfully surprised.

I think there would have been some very long odds on it.'' With three games to go Nationals have a realistic chance of seizing the title and it could all come down to the final day of the league season when they face Stars at St. John's Field.

That would be a monumental task even with the season Nationals are enjoying, having been hammered by the St. John's club twice already, first in the first round of the Central Counties Cup and then being bundled out of the League Knock-Out competition.

Thus Speight was not anxious to discuss the title possibilities, preferring to "take one game at a time'' and deal with the situation when it presents itself.

BRUCE PERINCHIEF -- Former Cup Match spinner just part of Nationals "great team spirit.''