TOO few runs and an unsettled side - both are symptoms which Rishton have shown this season as they have fallen from grace in a most dramatic fashion.

After two years on the top of the EW Cartons Lancashire League, players and members alike have been more than a little surprised at their current situation, nestling in the bottom half of the league.

But while chairman Rod Simpson has resigned amid claims there is a lack of commitment from players and non-players to the club and to himself, current captain John Wharton is a lot more objective.

He said: "Even last season we were struggling to pick up the runs, but fortunately we were able to bowl our opponents out quickly. It hasn't gone the right way for us this season."

Rejecting claims that his players are not giving 100 per cent, John conceded that several problems have landed on the club all at once.

"We've had a number of injuries this season and people are beginning to go away for their summer holidays, making it very difficult for us to set up a settled side. I certainly know I have a committed first team."

After a string of defeats, most recently at the hands of Accrington and Bacup, John has had to re-assess his goals for the season.

"Idealistically, I want to end up inside the top four. Realistically, we should be aiming for the top half. The thing that nags me most is that, with just the odd extra win, we could already be inside the top four as it is."

Fixtures, Saturday: Accrington v Todmorden, Bacup v Rishton, Burnley v Ramsbottom, Church v Colne, East Lancs v Rawtenstall, Haslingden v Lowerhouse, Nelson v Enfield.

Sunday: Colne v Haslingden; Enfield v East Lancs, Lowerhouse v Bacup, Ramsbottom v Church, Rawtenstall v Burnley, Rishton v Accrington, Todmorden v Nelson.

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