WITH all-conquering Read rapidly taking on Arsenal-style status at the top of the table, the race is already on to be the best of the rest in the Veka Ribblesdale League.

And leading the way are surprise package Barnoldswick, who have muscled their way into the list of expected challengers to claim second spot alongside Cherry Tree.

Since losing on the opening day to Edenfield, John Pickup's side has won five successive games in league and cup with their latest success coming against Whalley last Saturday, when professional Jeevantha Kulatunga revelled in the sun.

"It was like being back home," said the Sri Lankan, who posted his first century of the summer before picking up four wickets to leave Whalley still looking for their first league win.

"We have been having a good run since the second game. We have got a good team spirit and we are doing really well."

Next weekend's game against Cherry Tree will provide more of an acid test of Barnoldswick's credentials after a fairly gentle start.

And if they come through that, Kulatunga has not given up hope of making an impression on Read's nine-point advantage at the head of affairs.

He added: "You never know. If we compete with the good teams we might be able to hit them as well.

"We have only beaten Settle (of the top teams) so far, but you don't know what will happen. It depends on how you go out to the middle.".

Kulatunga admits that he found it tough going early on against Whalley and held his hands up to running out Pickup after the pair had put on a half-century stand.

But the 30-year-old responded in the perfect manner by cutting loose to put the game beyond the reach of the bottom side as he finished with 117 off just 96 balls.

The knock will have come as no surprise to his team-mates after Kulatunga's productive stay at Victory Park last season when he posted 1,186 runs at an average of over 50 to earn an invitation back.

And Kulatunga, fresh from a successful domestic season in both one-day and first class games, is so far keeping his side of the bargain.

With all-rounder Mike Scothern also showing impressive early season form Barnoldswick look well placed under rookie skipper Pickup to improve significantly on last year,s ninth-placed finish.

The 21-year-old has taken on the captaincy for the first time, but is not short of advice with Kulatunga a willing aide to Barnoldwick bid to prove they have what it takes to stay the course.

"He's really enjoying the captaincy and it,s good for him," said the pro. "He's very young at the moment but I am helping him and we have a good understanding between each other. Except, it appears, when it comes to running between the wickets !"