DANNY Law admits he had never heard of Read before being approached to be the paid man at Whalley Road this summer.

But after a quick bit of homework the former Durham, Essex and Sussex all-rounder had no hesitation in taking up the challenge offered by the Veka Ribblesdale League champions.

"I hadn't heard of many clubs round here and it's the first bit of league cricket I've played for a while," said Law.

"I did have other offers from some other different clubs but Read were one of the first to get in touch.

"I looked into how successful a side they had been and took that into consideration because it's easier to come in and play for a decent side.

"It's completely new to me. It's different from county cricket because there's only one professional and there's more expectation on you because of that. But I'm looking forward to taking on that responsibility.

"So far I've been over the moon with it. It's a really good club and a good set of lads."

It was something of a coup for Read to land a player fresh from the county circuit.

Law had spent 10 years in the first-class game and admits that being released by Durham at the end of last summer had come as a disappointment.

But the former England under-19 international hasn't come to Read to wind down after a county career that he hopes could yet be revived.

He said: "I can't look back on it and say I didn't enjoy it because I enjoyed every minute. I was lucky to have played for as long as I did.

"I would have liked to have carried on, but it wasn't to be, although I am only 28 and perhaps the door isn't completely closed.

"I'm playing a few games for Cambridgeshire in the Minor Counties and if I can put in a few performances for them and do well for Read, I might catch somebody's eye."

If not, Law is planning a trade as a plasterer and taking on board new skills is very much at the forefront of his thinking.

Even with 108 first-class matches behind him he admits he's on a learning curve.

"The only thing I've found hard to get used to is the wickets," Law added.

"They are very soft at the moment and you certainly can't bowl a county length.

"It's a new experience for me, with the bat as well. I've only had one hit so far and that was hard to start with."

At Whalley on Saturday, Law, with two first-class centuries to his name to go with his 213 wickets, had to graft for his 39 in Read's total of 169-3 and then went for 10 off his opening over.

But the Lambeth-born seamer is evidently a quick learner as he then took five wickets to reduce Whalley from 12-0 to 27-7 as title favourites Read wrapped up their second maximum-points victory.

The following day Law collected three wickets playing for Heywood in the Central Lancashire League and with Read's blessing admits that he might be interested in substituting in the Lancashire League if the fixture list allows.

But Read's fortunes remain his top priority and Law has his sights set on helping Warren Eastham's men to a second successive double.

He said: "My personal goals are to put the team first and try and win the league and cup. If we do that I'd like to think I've done my job. I'm not putting a number on run and wickets I'd like to get but if I give 110 per cent in every game that should take care of that."

GREAT Harwood bowler Stuart Maher took a hat-trick in his side's victory over Edenfield.

He finished with figures of 5-17 as Edenfield were ousted for just 59.