PETER SLEEP is determined to put some silverware in the Read trophy cabinet in what could be his last season as a professional.

And the former Australian Test player could hardly be doing any more to achieve his goal after producing a remarkable eight-wicket haul at the weekend to keep the club in touch near the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

Sleep claimed 8-7 from a 17-over spell as Barnoldswick were dismissed for just 91 to set up a nine-wicket win which keeps Read, who face a re-arranged Jennings Ramsbottom cup-semi-final against Earby on Sunday, fourth in the table.

And for the 43-year-old leg-spinner, whose return was the best in the league for two years, it was a landmark day.

"I don't think I've had better figures than that. It was just one of those days when everything went right," he said. "The pitch wasn't as condusive as I first thought it was going to be but I got the ball in the right areas.

"The ball came out pretty well and everything went right." Sleep is now the leading wicket-taker in the league with 41 and also heads the run-scoring charts with an average in the nineties as Read stay in the hunt for the double.

He said: "I've been quite happy with the last month with everything really, both batting and bowling. It's going pretty well and generally everything's falling into place. But more to the point Read are doing pretty well.

"We are hanging in there in the league, but looking at it realistically we have hopefully got a good chance in the cup competition.

"I think Padiham are probably the best side in the league and will be fighting it out with Cherry Tree. Our biggest problem will be when people go on holiday.

"We also got a couple of injuries to Graham Bardsley and John Longden. I'm just hoping they will be fit because they're a couple of main players."

Sleep added: "I would like to win the cup and if Padiham or Cherry Tree have a couple of hiccups in the league, we are behind them.But we can't afford any hiccups ourselves and the pressure's on us more than them really."

Winning a trophy would be a fitting way for Sleep to sign off if he calls it a day at Read and returns to former club Rishton, where he admits he would like to play alongside step-son Richard Rostron before hanging up his boots.

He said: "There's always that possibility and the body is telling me it's getting sorer and sorer by the day.

"I want to try and get to the final of the cup and make that decision at the end of July or the start of August. Then if I don't decide to pro again it gives people time to find another one."