OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel professional Rob Ashton believes the green shoots of recovery are starting to sprout at New Lane -- despite the club's wretched start to the season.

Immanuel, who have finished in the bottom two in each of the last two years, once again find themselves propping up the rest of the table after losing five of their opening six league games.

However, Ashton is refusing to get too downcast by his new team's predicament as he attempts to lay the foundations necessary for Immanuel's future prosperity.

"I've spoken to the captain and my role is all about trying to improve things on and off the field for the future well-being of the club," said Ashton, who describes himself as a batting all-rounder.

"In the last two years, I think the team have finished bottom and second bottom so it's hard to go from that to being a good side over night.

"But from what I've seen so far there's a lot of good young kids here and a really good junior programme appears to be in place, so we've just got to stick at it and try and improve standards throughout the whole club."

Despite the club's disappointing start in the league, Ashton has still thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of cricket in England.

It was former Ramsbottom pro Brad Hodge -- his captain at Melbourne -- who recommended the Ribblesdale League to Ashton.

And, though he admits he has found it hard adjusting to the change in climate in the northern hemisphere, he is relishing the challenge of trying to transform Immanuel's fortunes.

"I know results haven't gone our way so far but things are starting to improve," said Ashton, whose top score so far is the 46 he made against Settle on the opening day.

"I've had a ball since I've been in England because everyone at the club has been so friendly towards me.

"From a cricketing point of view, I've found it slightly difficult to adjust to the slower wickets because I'm not used to playing in these conditions.

"But each week I feel as though I'm getting better and now I'm starting to bowl a lot better than I was early on so things are looking up."

As for the team, Immanuel's collective lack of experience has proved their undoing so far, although Ashton insists things will improve as the season wears on.

"We've got a very young side but I'm sure as the summer goes on, the kids will get that bit more experienced and their performances will improve as a result," said the 22-year-old, who is living with Church professional Mark Higgs over the summer.

"At the end of the day, we've just got to be persistent."