SPIN star Jonathan Fielding reckons his Ramsbottom men can hit their straps and get on the sort of run that propelled them to the Foster’s Lancashire League title two years ago.

Fielding has once again been impressive with 19 wickets in the first four games of the season – but as a team Ramsbottom have stuttered and were crushed by Rishton in their first match, while they also lost at home to Todmorden on Saturday.

But in a polar opposite to those defeats were two huge wins over Haslingden and Rawtenstall and Fielding knows just what abilities his squad has.

And he wants his men to replicate the form of 2010 when they won 23 of their 26 games to stroll to the crown.

“It’s very early in the season and anything can happen,” said the 39-year-old. “The Rishton game was a big shock to the system to be honest.

“We had waited a long time for cricket and after the first two games were washed out we thought we were ready to go.

“We never expected to get rolled for 70-odd and while the Rishton pro is decent, our batting on the day was not up top scratch.

“We simply didn’t perform well enough – a day after we hammered Haslingden.

“They posted a good score yet we coasted past it. That was a good day for the batsmen.

“But at this stage of a season and with the weather that we have had you have to accept that there will be a few funny results.

“You are bound to be a inconsistent but I know just what we can do.”

Two seasons ago as Fielding returned to captain his hometown club, Ramsbottom roared to the crown and while their challenge in the league fell away last season they did claim the Worsley Cup.

And the left-armer is determined to get his hands on some more silverware this term – with his eyes firmly focused on the main prize of the league title.

“As I say there is a long, long way to go,” he added.

“You don’t want to get off to a bad start but it is better to have a wobble in May than in August and September.

“When we won the league two years ago we won 23 out of 26 games in the league – and I can see no reason why we can’t do that again.”

Fielding claimed 7-20 as Ramsbottom beat Rawten-stall on Sunday as he aims the become the first man in Lancashire League history to claim 100 wickets a season three years on the spin.

And he will look to add to his tally on Saturday when Burnley visit Acre Bottom before Ramsbottom begin their Worsley Cup defence against East Lancashire on Sunday.