DAVID Howard has called on his Ribblesdale Wanderers team-mates to rally around professional Shahid Nawaz following his poor start to the season.

Over the last three years, the Indian run-machine has been the scourge of bowlers the length and breadth of the league, smashing a host of records in the process.

But this summer, however, the skilful strokemaker has seen the runs dry up -- which has coincided with the current champions' miserable start to the campaign.

"I don't know what's wrong with the pro at the moment but he just seems to be totally out of sorts," said skipper Howard.

"He says he's feeling confident enough and he seems to be batting alright but he's just not playing the same shots as he was last season.

"He's letting balls go that he was previously smashing for four.

"I think it's purely down to a bit of a lack in confidence and if he gets one big score then I'm sure he'll come good.

"But, as a side, we need to buckle down and try to start pulling him through because over the last two or three seasons it's been the other way around."

It's been a miserable season for all concerned at Church Meadow following on from the euphoria of last summer's title success. Wanderers are currently 11th in the table after winning just two games all season.

And the winter departures of David O'Neill to Whalley and Mike Ward to Egerton have clearly had an adverse affect on the overall balance of the side.

"That was a massive blow because we've lost over 700 runs and nearly 60 wickets and, with us not making any new signings, it's asking a lot of the lads within the club to cover for that," said Howard.

Ironically, however, Wanderers will travel to Edenfield in good heart having won there earlier in the season in the Ramsbottom Cup.

That day, Howard shared in a matchwinning second wicket stand of 150 with Martin Davies as they successfully chased a victory target of over 240.

And Davies is due to return tomorrow after missing the last few games.

"They're a good side and they've recently got Andy Williams back," said Howard.

"But it's always a good wicket over there -- I don't think I've ever played on a bad track at Edenfield.

"So that should help us and, after winning there in the cup, there's no reason why we can't do it again."

And Howard hasn't given up all hope on retaining the league title just yet -- even if he admits lifting the cup has now become a more realistic ambition. "We haven't given up on the league but we certainly can't afford to lose any more games.

"What has happened so far is all the top teams seem to be beating each other so no-one has pulled away from the pack.

"So there's still a chance for us, but only a slim one.

"If we're being realistic, though, I think we've really got to concentrate on the cup."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Baxenden v Read, Blackburn Northern v Barnoldswick, Cherry Tree v Padiham, Earby v Whalley, Edenfield v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Great Harwood v Clitheroe, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Settle.