READ will look to strengthen their Ribblesdale League championship challenge on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Euxton to Whalley Road.

Kyle O’Connor’s third-placed side have won five of their last six league matches to position themselves right in the thick of the Section A title battle.

And what has been most impressive about their fantastic run of form is that it includes victories over the three teams that finished above them last season.

Read are the only side to have beaten the current top two and last weekend they also claimed the scalp of Great Harwood.

The 24-run success at the Cliffe left the Burnley outfit third in the standings and just two points behind defending champions Clitheroe and six points behind Settle at the summit.

But as pleased as O’Connor is at the way the season is panning out, he knows there is still room for improvement.

Read’s two defeats this summer have come against teams further down the league in the shape of Oswaldwistle Immanuel and Barnoldswick.

And, with Euxton currently third from bottom in Section B, O’Connor will take nothing for granted on Saturday.

The Read skipper, who will be at full strength, said: “We have beaten the best three teams in the league last season so I’m very happy with that.

“Now what we’ve got to show consistency and beat the teams who are lower down the league than us.

“We can’t say we are going to be champions but if we get that consistency then we will certainly be in the mix and contenders to win the league.

“We’ve just got to show the teams lower down the league exactly the same respect as we do the teams at the top. If we do that, and perform like we can, we should get the points.

“That’s the challenge the lads are facing now and we know that Euxton will be a difficult test for us.

“We’ve had some tough games with them and they’ve got a very good professional.

“But we’ll be confident.

“I’m proud of the way the lads are playing at the moment. They are taking their chances and doing exactly what I ask of them.

“And, as a captain, you can’t ask for any more than that.”

Michael Whalley (44) and Keegan Peterson (24) top scored as Read put on 133-6 last Saturday.

Andrew Rushton (5-19), Warren Eastham (2-27) and Frank Barden (2-32) then did most of the damage as Great Harwood were bowled out for 109.

Great Harwood will aim to bounce back on Saturday at home to Baxenden.

Settle head to Brinscall while Clitheroe make the trip to Section B leaders Salesbury.

Barnoldswick host Whalley and Brooksbottom entertain Ribblesdale Wanderers.

There are also home matches for Earby and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel against Cherry Tree and Padiham respectively.

Edenfield are without a fixture.