ELTON Cricket Club captain Andrew Donnelly has praised the performance of his improving team following three consecutive league wins which has seen them climb to fourth place in the table.

The Central Lancashire League side claimed their first wins of the season against Middleton and Oldham a fortnight ago and followed that up with victory at Werneth last Saturday.

Half-centuries from professional Bafana Malhangu and Steven Filkins led the Leigh Lane men to an 18-run win with Filkins top-scoring with 62.

Malhangu starred with both the bat and ball, hitting 57 as Elton totalled 187, and then taking 5-63 as the hosts hit 169 in reply.

The narrow win moves Elton to within five points of top spot and Donnelly believes the success is down to all of his players contributing.

“The team has gradually improved game-by-game and the most pleasing thing is that different players are taking wickets and scoring the runs each week,” said Donnelly.

“The stand-out performers so far have been the pro Victor (Bafana) Malhangu who has definitely got to grips with the league now.

“He got a few ducks early on but he’s been getting consecutive 50s in the last couple of weeks and has also taken plenty of wickets.

“Gareth Edwards has also made a big contribution with the ball while Steven Filkins and Danny Lomax have been outstanding.”

Elton, who also beat Ashton in a Twenty20 contest last Sunday, travel to Radcliffe on Saturday for the first local derby of the season, and Donnelly is looking to continue the winning momentum.

“They’ve been playing well and have a good pro in Raheel Majeed and two leg spinners, which is always hard to play against,”said Donnelly. “However, I think our squad has more depth and I’d back our batsmen.”

Radcliffe slipped to third, losing by seven wickets to Crompton on Saturday.