EDENFIELD have been hit by the departure of skipper and leading batsman John Kershaw as they try to haul themselves of the foot of the Jennings Ribblesdale league.

Kershaw has decided to call it a day and after hitting a half-century in last weekend's defeat against Read won't be available for tomorrow's visit of Clitheroe and the remainder of the season.

Last season's captain Brett Storey takes over the reins for tomorrow's game and has put his name forward to do the job for the rest of the summer with the club's committee set to meet on Monday night to make a decision.

"I have put in for it and so have a couple more of the lads as well," confirmed Storey, who stood down over the winter following discussions with Kershaw to allow the opening bat to take the helm.

"John will leave a big hole to fill. He's been keeping wicket as well so that's another position to fill," Storey added. Kershaw is thought to have not enjoyed batting on some away pitches this season and has also struggled with an ankle problem.

He hasn't been as prolific this summer but scored over 500 league runs last year and will be a big miss at Gincroft Lane.

Storey admits that the team has found runs hard to come by.

But, despite the club's current position, two points adrift at the bottom of the table is enthusiastic about taking the job on again, starting against Clitheroe. "It's an uphill task but the morale is still quite good in the team.

"We played against Clitheroe in the cup earlier this season.

"And they bowled well to retsrict us to a low total. But we will give them a good game," he said.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Barnoldswick v Padiham, Edenfield v Clitheroe, Oswaldtwistle I v Blackburn Northern, Read v Great Harwood, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Earby, Settle v Baxenden, Whalley v Cherry Tree.