READ captain Nick Marsh is happy for the rest of the Jennings Ribblesdale League to continue writing off the title chances of his top-of-the-table side.

Despite leading the field by five points, Marsh reckons Read are way down on the list of favourites behind Earby, Baxenden, Blackburn Northern and Cherry Tree. And Marsh will be pleased if that continues.

"We are pleased that no one thinks we can win the league. We are happy for them to think that," he said.

"We will just go out and do our best and see what happens. We will carry on and play our games and if we play well we are quite capable of doing it.

"Earby and Baxenden are strong contenders and so are Cherry Tree and Blackburn Northern are a good side with a good pro."

Read, who have won their last three games, face Blackburn Northern in a top-of-the-table clash tomorrow and Marsh reckons the outcome could be crucial: "This game will be a yardstick, if we can beat them it will boost confidence even more."

After finishing third last year and fifth the year before, it has been a gradual improvement for Read which may result in the league title making its way to Whalley Road for the first time since 1975.

"I think there is more belief in the side this year," said Marsh. "Peter Sleep did well for us when he was our pro but he is a dominant character and a lot of the players thought once he was out our chances of winning a game ended.

"Now the players believe in themselves a little bit more, which showed against Barnoldswick where Akram Raza got out when we needed 130 to win. The team batted really well."

Marsh paid tribute to some of the young players who are beginning to shine.

"We have some good young players coming through. Oliver Newby, who has played for Lancashire Under 16s, has taken about 20 wickets this season and Michael Whalley, who is only 20, is opening the batting for us and is our leading run scorer.

"Joe Marshall is only 17 and he has broken into the first team this season batting middle order and has made some good contributions.

"And Warren Eastham, who has been with us for three years since signing from Enfield, has taken about 30 wickets and is bowling well."

FIXTURES: Barnoldswick v Great Harwood, Baxenden v Clitheroe, Blackburn Northern v Read, Cherry Tree v Settle, Earby v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Edenfield v Padiham, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Whalley