Beechey, a third in Learmonth’s division one side and secretary of the club, believes the 2011-12 finals season will be a cracker, with any number of clubs still liable to make a dash for the finish line.

“There could be some surprises in store,” he says.

Learmonth, which sits in second position on the ladder, has been one of the biggest surprises of the competition to date; the country club coming back from a disappointing sixth last season to reinvent itself as a top-four steady.

“When we started the season, having finished how we did last year, we weren’t sure how we’d go,” Beechey said.

“We’re probably punching above our weight.

“I think some of our opposition have been surprised.”

But to see Learmonth doing well has not surprised Beechey, who knows how much work has gone into the club and how progressive it continues to be.

He joined 30 years ago thanks to his father-in-law, Bill Walton, who was a president and strong stalwart of the club.

“He got me to fill in and I’ve been there ever since,” Beechey said.

As it turned out he would follow in Walton’s shoes, going on to serve as club president and, currently, as secretary.

He sees the next few weeks as a test for Learmonth, which still has some of the pennant’s heaviest hitters to play before finals.

City Oval and Ballarat East follow tomorrow’s match against number one side Avenue. Beechey will play as a third against Avenue in Gordon Powell’s rink, which has proved a successful combination to go unchanged all season.

“I’m probably having one of the better years I’ve had because I’m more relaxed,” Beechey says. “We’ve still got to be tested fully but we’re fairly competitive at the moment.”

Beechey has been in premier division twice, and played in the division one premierships on both occasions.

He is also a past winner of the club’s President’s Cup and will take a second shot at the title on February 16.

He fought his way through a round robin knock-out competition to make the 2011-12 final, in which he will play Chris Powell.