READ are sneaking up on the rails as dark horses for the Jennings Ribblesdale League title - and it's an approach that suits skipper Nick Marsh just fine.

The Whalley Road outfit are currently fourth in the table with as many wins as leaders Cherry Tree.

A haul of only two bonus points has held them back, but Marsh believes that his side can still have a say in the title shake-up by keeping on winning.

"We feel we can stick the pace," Marsh insisted. "We aren't going to bowl sides out regularly, but we feel we can defend a score and chase runs.

"Our target at the start of the season was a top-four spot and we are fourth now. We're nearly half-way through and we've only lost twice. Realistically, you can only afford to lose four games to win it.

"The favourites have to be Cherry Tree and Padiham because they've done it before, but we will plod along. We'll keep plugging away. It's nice to keep getting five points and we'll see where it takes us."

Read's latest five-pointer came against Settle on Saturday, when Marsh's men won by a comfortable 88 runs at Marshfield.

Terry Little posted another half-century and professional Peter Sleep made a run-a-ball 98 not out before picking 5-42 as the home side were restricted to 137-9. "We would have liked a few more because their professional is a good player who we felt was capable of getting a big hundred.

"But we were happy with what we had and we bowled well," added Marsh.

"I think we are playing well as a team at the moment and we've got a good pro. He's made us a lot more disciplined and aggressive on the pitch. He got 90-odd on Saturday and he's been getting runs and wickets regularly.

"But he's never had to score too many runs because we've bowled quite well.

"We've got no superstars in the team, but everybody seems to be contributing."

That claim is backed up by the fact that five of the team have posted half-centuries this season and the bowling support for Sleep has been further strengthened by the recruitment of all-rounder Warren Eastham from Enfield.

Marsh, in his first season as captain, also has high hopes for seamer Qadir Ahmed, as young and old hit if off.

"We've got a bit of spirit back and I'm enjoying it. The beauty of it is that we've got five or six players with a lot of experience, and then some good youngsters. It's a good blend," added Marsh, whose side will be looking to maintain their challenge at home to Barnoldswick on Saturday.

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