READ Cricket Club is emerging as a hotbed of youth cricket as they aim to stay top of the pile in the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

The club's first team is currently leading the title race and the longer term future also looks bright if Read's current crop of young players continue their present rate of progress.

The Whalley Road club boasts no less than six county players, including Jennifer Laycock, playing for Lancashire at under-12 and under-13 level.

Twins Matthew and Scott Doughty are playing for the older age-group, while the under-13 contingent is completed by Laycock, who plays for Lancashire Ladies.

At under-12 level, Read provide three players for the county schools set-up.

Tom Marsh, son of first-team skipper Nick, William Driver and Chris Holt are all members of the county side as they all combine Lancashire commitments with playing for the juniors and third-team at Read.

"We are lucky to have a good crop of young players and to have six kids like that is exceptional. We have got a lot of 11 to 16-year-olds playing at the club," said Nick Marsh.