GURINDER Pal Singh has set his Ribblesdale Wanderers team-mates the task of finishing in the top six of the Vaux Ribblesdale League.

But with the Church Meadow side currently third from the bottom, a consistent rise in form allied to some sparkling performances are urgently required.

Singh proved emphatically two weeks ago that he can lead any future charge by the club, grabbing an incredible nine for 31 against former club Padiham at The Arbories.

The 28-year-old Indian believes the potential is there within the team.

But he acknowledges that his players need more time to develop to establish themselves as a formidable force in the league.

"We have some very good players coming through," he said.

"All of the players are quite young - ranging from 20 to 25-years-old.

"I think the whole team is one to watch in coming seasons.

"We have not done exceedingly well so far but we have not been helped by the weather.

"Many of our matches have been at home and the wicket there has remained wet which isn't conducive to good strokeplay.

"It may take us another year to reach our potential as a team but our goal this season now must be to finish in the top six.

"If we can do that it will give the club and the players a tremendous boost."

Singh, like many observers of the Ribblesdale League this season, has been greatly impressed by the all-round excellence of Read pro Shahid Nawaz and Barnoldswick's James Peterson.

While he considers it premature to be discussing end-of-season placings yet - "I think there are about six sides all still in with a shout" - he singled out these two as definite match winners.

"Shahid is the complete strokeplayer," declared Singh.

"Back home in Pakistan, he's one of the top five or six in first class cricket.

"Plus he opens the bowling for his side there and to do that, at that standard, indicates the outstanding quality he is.

"Peterson has got a very good brain.

"He's so much of a complete all-rounder that he bears a lot of responsibility for his club and shoulders it so well.

"He's got used to the wickets now and knows what to do."

Equally, Singh knows what Ribblesdale Wanderers must do against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel tomorrow at New Lane if they are to surge up the table.

"Victory is what we're after," he said. And a few more besides.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: Barnoldswick v Blackburn Northern, Baxenden v Cherry Tree, Clitheroe v Earby, Edenfield v Whalley, Great Harwood v Read, Ossie Immanuel v Ribb Wand, Settle v Padiham.

THE RIBBLESDALE League encounters Merseyside on Sunday at Rainhill in the North West Colts competition.

Wickets are pitched at 1.30pm and the team is as follows: C Walton (Earby CC), A Ainsworth (Ribb Wanderers), I Clarkson (Earby), R Cooper (Blackburn Northern), A Hall (Padiham), M Hargreaves (Clitheroe), C Hickey (Cherry Tree), A Kelly (Padiham), A Morris (Blackburn Northern), A Rushton (Read), D Walton (Blackburn Northern). Reserve on stand-by: L Deasey (Gt Harwood), I Simpson (Cherry Tree). Players are requested to report at the ground no later than 1pm.

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