IF Padiham can't win the Jennings Ribblesdale League title then they have one other ambition this season - to finish above local rivals Read.

The Arbories side are currently in sixth place and are 13 points off top team Barnoldswick.

They odds are stacked against them clinching the crown so now it's down to trying to finish above third placed Read who they trail by ten points.

"It is most unlikely that we will win the title," admitted captain Jon Hartley, in his first season as skipper at the Arbories.

"It all went wrong one weekend in Rossendale when we lost to Baxenden and Edenfield, two teams who are near the bottom and who we should have beaten.

"But it was one of those weekends.

"So now it is important for the Padiham fans if we finish above Read. They are the local rivals, we have already beaten them twice this season and that is what we want to do if we don't win the title.

"We have a chance with our run-in but we will just have to wait and see."

Padiham are on a high after thumping Barnoldswick last week by 107 runs and throwing the title race wide open with Barlick, Cherry Tree, Read, Earby and Settle also in the hunt.

They were set to make the trip to second placed Cherry Tree today before tackling Great Harwood at home tomorrow.

"I did tip Cherry Tree to be there or thereabouts at the start of the season as they are an experienced side and I expected them to be up there," said the Padiham skipper.

"But then again I also tipped Blackburn Northern to be up there and they are near the bottom so I am not that good a tipster!

"But if we can beat Cherry Tree and Blackburn Northern there are three games left and we could be in with a shout, you never know."

The teams at the top will be taking points off each other in the next few games especially as the match of the day tomorrow is at Victory Park where Barnoldswick welcome third-placed Read.

"It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few games and then we will have a look at where we are with two games to go," said the Padiham man.

Padiham's run-in after this weekend comprises of a trip to Clitheroe, a home visit by Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and then what could be a huge game against title chasing Earby on the final game of the season.

"You would expect us to win most of these but anything can happen on the day. Most teams have players who can win it for them.

"It was good to beat Barnoldswick, we like playing there and it was even better because they are top.

"And no matter what happens we are pleased with the season so far, especially because of the players we had available at the start of the season.

"We have a good atmosphere at the club, all the players try hard and it has been good.

"The problem has been with the away games. I think we have won every home game this season, we seem to do well on our ground with our supporters.

"Next season we need to start winning more away matches and I will have to think about how to do it over the winter!"

TOMORROW'S GAMES: Barnoldswick v Read, Earby v Clitheroe, Edenfield v Baxenden, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Blackburn Northern, Padiham v Great Harwood, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Cherry Tree, Settle v Whalley.