LAST season, Ribblesdale Wanderers finished third bottom of the Veka Ribblesdale Senior League.

But after hiring heavy artillery in the shape of professional Joe Scuderi they're riding high near the top of the tree and are mixing it with the league's big guns.

Former Lancashire star Scuderi already has over 200 runs to his name, at an average of 109, and has made a big impact at Church Meadow.

But he's not getting carried away despite a bright start.

He said: "The team has started well and you couldn't ask for much more. We lost to Padiham but apart from that we've done really well."

Scuderi decided to make the switch from Nelson to have another go at being a pro and he's admitted he's still trying to grips with bowling again.

"It's been a bit difficult bowling because I haven't bowled for a couple of years," he added.

"It's not coming out quite right and I'm trying to get it in the right areas but it'll come. But I'm more than happy with the batting though.

"As a team we're bowling reasonably well and a couple of guys are doing well with the bat.

"A few of the guys still need to come up with a couple of scores but it's gone well so far.

"I think we needed to win the first couple of games just to get the confidence up. We've done that and put ourselves into a great situation."

But Scuderi isn't putting Wanderers into the title frame just yet.

He said: "It's a bit early to say we can win title.

"We haven't come up against the stronger sides like Great Harwood and Clitheroe yet.

"We play Settle on Saturday and that'll be a big test for us because they're one of the top teams in the Ribblesdale League.

"Beating the weaker' teams is all very but doing it against the top teams is the difference between finishing near the top or in mid-table."