ELTON captain Gareth Edwards hailed a collective effort as his side took a significant step towards promotion from Division Two A in the GMCL with a resounding seven-wicket win at Glossop on Saturday.

The All Saints club took advantage of rivals Winton having their game with Bury seconds abandoned to leapfrog them into second place.

They are now three points clear having bowled Glossop out for 78 and chased the target down inside 23 overs.

“There’s still four games to go, but we now know it’s in our own hands,” said Edwards. “If we win our remaining games, we can’t be caught.

“We’ve definitely had a bit of a stutter over the last three or four weeks.

“We won’t be the only side, but we’ve struggled with the weather and having no rhythm. Play a game, off for a week, play a game, off for a week.

“We were bowled out for 80 odd against Winton a couple of weekends ago. Had we won that, we’d have been in a really strong position. But, fair play, they outplayed us.

“So it’s nice to bounce back with a win, and a convincing one. It gives us a bit of confidence going into the final few weeks.

“Hopefully now the weather will hold up and we can finish the season properly.

“Mind you, if the snow comes now we’re up!”

Elton were invited to bowl on Saturday and left-arm spinner Steven Filkins, their leading wicket-taker with 32, claimed three with the new ball added to two apiece for new ball partner Gavin Nichol (left-arm seam) and Edwards (off-spin).

Locum opener Michael Farley then anchored the chase with a season’s best 54 not out from 76 balls.

“We lost here last year, so we were under no illusions as to how tough a challenge it would be,” said Edwards. “But we bowled really well.

“The wickets were shared around, and we took some good catches along with two run outs. We put them under a lot of pressure.

“Michael then opened the batting because our regular opener Adam Stansfield is on his honeymoon, and he did a great job. Both his fifties this season have come against Glossop.

“There wasn’t too much wrong with the pitch. We’ve just bowled really well and built a lot of pressure. They got themselves out trying to play those release shots.

“It was a real collective effort to squeeze them.

“I said in the dressing room, ‘It really pleases me that we haven’t had to rely on one bowler taking five or six wickets every week. We share them around’.

“You can look at other successful sides and see a standout bowler with 60 or 70 wickets, but that’s not us. It’s a good sign for the club.”

Of Elton’s four remaining fixtures, a home clash with leaders Shaw - the gap between the two sides is four points - on August 31 jumps out, although Edwards added: “All four games will be tough.

“East Lancs and Werneth will both be fighting to avoid relegation, and at this time of year anything can happen. But it’s nice to be involved at this stage with something to fight for.”