AFTER inspiring Read to their most sustained title challenge in over 15 years last season, Shahid Nawaz is on the warpath again. But he is having to break the pain barrier to do it.

The 26-year-old from Pakistan, who opened his Ribblesdale League career with a stand of 152 against Whalley, began this season by taking five wickets as Read thumped Blackburn Northern at Pleckgate Road.

Only the competence of Terry Little and Nick Marsh prevented Nawaz making another telling contribution with the bat, the two openers comfortably surpassing Northern's total.

But Nawaz was disappointed last weekend after managing just 30 runs against Edenfield, though victory at Whalley Road was enough to lift Read into a three-way tie with Great Harwood and Clitheroe at the top of the table.

A shoulder injury is inhibiting him, however, and it could take several weeks or longer before he is restored to full match fitness.

"I didn't play much cricket back home through the winter," said Nawaz.

"In fact I played only seven or eight games in total.

"I was trying to bowl quick and did my shoulder in about three months ago.

"I only started playing again a week before returning to England.

"I've taken painkillers to combat it but there's still some stiffness there after games.

"It's worrying but you just have to get on with your job."

What makes things less worrying for Nawaz is his belief that the Read amateurs can more than hold their own in the Ribblesdale League. He maintains that they have the best amateur bowling line-up in the league.

"I'm quite happy so far with the standard of our bowling," he said ahead of tomorrow's encounter against Bruce Hara and Barnoldswick at Whalley Road.

"Last season we were doing all right batting - the only problem was our bowling.

"We were scoring 240-odd and getting beaten.

"This year I think we will be able to defend 150, 170 with this bowling."

If this is true Read could be headed in the direction of their first Ribblesdale League title since 1979.

"Last season we were very unfortunate," added Nawaz.

"We scored over 200 runs in a 30-over game that was rained off.

"And against Settle we had them all out for 150 and had reached 50-odd in 10 overs when rain intervened.

"Those games made a difference because in the end we finished just three points behind Earby for the title.

"I think it's in this side to go one better this season."

FIXTURES: Baxenden v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Blackburn Northern v Padiham, Cherry Tree v Clitheroe, Earby v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Edenfield v Settle, Read v Barnoldswick, Whalley v Great Harwood

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.