A FULL-BLOODED cry of 'champions!' reverberated around Elton Cricket Club on Sunday night as players, committee members and supporters rejoiced in the club's first Bolton Association title since they joined the league 10 years ago.

And no-one could say the success wasn't well deserved.

They have seemingly been hit from pillar to post all season, none more so than when 14 points were deducted when the game against Golborne started several minutes 'late'.

And it's particularly pleasing that 80 per cent of the players have been home grown.

This youth talent has been complemented by the guidance of former Burnley man and club stalwart Graham Bushell, while the icing on the cake was Dexter Fitton.

Despite his long, successful career, this was Fitton's first title success.

He is the ultimate professional, bubbly in the dressing room, encouragement personified, very knowledgable, a miserly bowler and a king among strokemakers.

At the weekend Elton had to win both games to be assured of the title.

Things started well for the Leigh Lane side as they demolished Lostock's batting line up for just 82.

The ever-reliable Fitton took four wickets for 25 from ten overs, and spin-king Mark Goddard took four for 16 from 6.1 overs to cap a productive season.

The total should not have proved too much trouble, but Elton ran into two fast bowling express trains named Vahaluwana and Vohra who unbelievably ran through the Elton order.

Elton eventually were skittled for 58, putting the worrying skids under their championship hopes.

Nervousness turned to relief however, as news that second-placed Darcy Lever had also lost, filtered through and Elton maintained a 21-point margin!

That meant victory against Golborne the following day would ensure the title came to Leigh Lane.

Just as the day before, Elton bowled first.

The Wigan side never setttled and were skittled by the Leigh Laners for 71.

Peter Kay showed why he has represented the league side when he returned figures of 12 overs three wickets for 21 runs.

Dexter Fitton and Mark Goddard rounded off good bowling performances as they picked up three wickets each and Steven Filkins capped off his return to form, producing seven tight overs and picking up two wickets for just nine runs.

Rocked by the performance of the day before, the Elton top order vowed to get the job done this time around.

But they lost Chris Read, Rashid Riaz and coach Damion Keegan in reasonably quick succession.

However, fittingly, the professional Dexter Fitton dug in with a solid 23 not out.

He was helped by another man back in form, Peter Lomax, who scored 15 not out.

The players embraced as they achieved their target.

It will go down in Elton CC folklore as a party that started in September and ended around the beginning of April!