PETER Sleep is delighted with the start made by Read, but the Australian all-rounder believes the biggest test of their credentials in the Jennings Ribblesdale League is about to come, writes PETER WHITE.

Four wins from their first five games have put Read in a healthy position to challenge the early leaders.

And they never looked anything except winners over Blackburn Northern on Saturday.

But their failure, despite some good performances, to pick up bowling bonus points has hampered them so far. Opposition teams have tended to put up the shutters against professional Sleep's leg spin.

"You always hope you are going to make a good start but we have probably done better than I expected so far," said Sleep who had runs and wickets in last weekend's victory cruise against Northern. "The big test for us comes this weekend when we play Cherry Tree and Padiham.

"We have lost to Clitheroe, in a game we should have won, but we have generally played pretty well."

Read have a lot of experience in their ranks, not least in the shape of the pro, who took 4-33 in 23 tight overs against Northern before steering his side home with an unbeaten 30.

That followed what was virtually a run-a-ball 56 from opener Terry Little, another vastly experienced campaigner.

Despite being unable to bowl sides out, Sleep believes the attack is shaping up and that the batting is now starting to come good.

"We have a pretty good team whose strength is really in the batting," he said. "The good thing for the club at the moment is that we have bowled really well. We haven't batted as well as we would have liked, and that includes myself.

"But, hopefully, we are turning the corner.

"We played pretty well on Saturday and it's all credit to the lads that we have played as a team.

"Once the weather improves, the wickets should get a bit better and that will make things easier."

The Aussie, however, acknowledges the importance of this weekend to his side's aims of challenging for honours.

It's Cherry Tree at home on Saturday, followed by the brief trip to 'next-door' neighbours Padiham the following day.

Both sides are immediately above Read in the table after five matches and they have established themselves among the stronger sides, with Padiham the defending champions.

"It will be a real test for us," he said.

"If we can come out of the two games well, the season stands to go well."

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