AN effective blend of youth and experience has been the key to an encouraging first half of the season for Elton.

The Bury side has scarcely changed over the last four seasons, but the emergence of a group of talented youngsters has triggered an improvement in fortunes – and they are currently second in the Bolton Association table.

Fifteen-year-old Ashley Gowers has secured a regular place this season, with two or three more 15-year-olds also given a taste of the Bolton Association.

Their arrival on the senior scene has brought the best out of the more experienced John Ashworth, Peter Lomax and Mike Hall. The outcome has been a better spirit and greater consistency which captain Mark Gowers says was needed for the team to move forward.

Gowers had just joined the Walshaw Park side when they won the league and Cross Cup double in 2006.

And he says it has taken them a few years to reshape the side following the loss of Dexter Fitton and Steve Dearden after that season.

“They were a massive two places to fill,” he said. “They scored 1,700 runs between them and it’s hard to replace that. Apart from them, the majority of the team is exactly the same.

“Last season we weren’t consistent enough. We would give the top sides a good game and then let ourselves down against the teams near the bottom.

“This year we are far more consistent. We have only lost three games, to Little Hulton, Blackrod and Daisy Hill, three of the top teams.

“We’ve got a good spirit and all the players are taking responsibility. The money is not there to go out and buy expensive pros and the players have stood up to be counted.

“I’m a great believer in youth and we have a cracking youth set-up. All the under-15s team play in the first, second or third teams with the majority playing in the second.

“Ashley is in the Association team regularly and two or three more are also in and around the first team.

“The senior players are being pushed for their places for the first time in years and they are responding.

“John Ashworth, our most experienced player along with myself is having a very good season and Mike Hall is also playing well as opening bat.

“Peter Lomax is batting and bowling very well.

“Our pro, Toby Bulcock, is only 19. He’s a spinner and gives us a bit of variation along with fast bowlers Steve Filkins and Olly Smith.

“Alec Roughley has come in from Walshaw and provided some stability in the middle order.

“We just have to keep it up.”