THE decision to go with youth over experience several years ago is reaping rewards for Askam as they stand just 80 minutes away from a return to National Conference Division One.

It has been a case of steady progress for the Villagers since their return to the country's top amateur competition five years ago, having resigned from the NCL in 2008, and a win over Blackbrook tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) would see them clinch promotion via the play-offs.

Their success has been down to a conscious decision to promote young talent from within, with the thriving youth section at Fallowfield Park having produced many of the players which make up the current squad.

The strength-in-depth at Askam is highlighted by the fact their A-team won three of the four Barrow and District League prizes on offer in 2016, with many of that squad answering the call of first-team coach Mike Wilson throughout the season when injuries or absences have struck.

Askam's reward for finishing second in Division Two and beating Leigh East in the play-off semi-finals two weeks ago is a final on their own patch – and what better place for this largely home-grown squad to seal a place in the first division?

“We've got a sprinkling of players from elsewhere, but when you look at the core of the team it is the villagers – kids who played mini-rugby and through the ages at Askam,” said club chairman Russ Walker, who himself coached many of the youngsters during their junior days at Fallowfield Park.

“Now some of them are maturing at 24 or 26, which is still a young age and you're going to get six to 10 years out of some of them, providing they stay fit, look after themselves and still want to play.

“That comes with having a successful youth system of late and bringing players through who, even though they might only be 18 or 19, are starting to establish themselves as first-teamers.

“The club has been developing for quite a number of years and we've done it tough. It was the decision at the time to go with a really young side and they're all maturing together, but we've also got additional players coming through from the youth system.”

Walker has been involved in a variety of coaching and off-the-field roles at Askam since ending a playing career which included successful spells in the professional ranks with Barrow and Hull FC.

And he is delighted to see them mirroring the success of the Raiders in Kingstone Press League One this year, which the 54-year-old hopes can help provide a shot in the arm to rugby league in the county.

“It just proves we're not dead and buried around here – Barrow have proven that,” said Walker. “For the amateur clubs to do well in their respective leagues helps.

“We know the game in Cumbria isn't buzzing like it should be; I don't think we get enough external support that maybe the county deserves.

“When you look at what has come out of the county and is currently playing in Super League or has come through Super League club's systems, you've probably got a full team out there. Within the county, there is the quality there and there are not that many clubs.

“What we've got in the whole of Cumbria playing open-age compared to just the North West Counties League, is nothing in terms of numbers of teams. To get the percentages (of professional players) we have got is testament to the work that goes on in the county at amateur level.”

St Helens side Blackbrook have produced plenty of players who have gone on to play professional rugby down the years too and come to Askam on the back of an impressive winning run, which includes a 32-6 win at home to the same opponents last month.

But Askam will undoubtedly take some confidence from their 24-16 win over Blackbrook in the home league meeting back in May ahead of what promises to be a hard-fought promotion showdown.

“We know it's going to be a very tough game,” said Walker. “We've got players missing, but we've had that throughout the season and we know, at the end of the day, the 18 players who take to the field will give it their all.

“They're on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run and we've had a couple of losses in there – one against them and one against (Division Two champions) Hunslet Parkside. It all gears up for a tremendous game and it's one nobody could really call.”