BARNOLDSWICK skipper Richard Nicholls is keeping his focus on the short term rather than looking into the future despite his men shooting to the top of the Ribblesdale League.

Nicholls has guided Barlick to the summit at the halfway stage of the season – and the Victory Park outfit are now being talked up as potential champions.

They haven’t won the Senior Division since 1992 but with pace bowling professional Jaffar Nazir on form, Barlick are making the rest sit up and take note.

But Nicholls refuses to get carried away and insists Barnoldswick will continue with their “simple” game plan as they chase glory.

“We’ve got a simple game plan and everyone in the team knows exactly their roles,” said Nicholls. “We’re a strong batting side so the lads at the top of the order know there’s plenty of quality coming in behind them.

“Jaffar Nazir is one of our players in form and we’re good at building pressure.”

That pressure play has paid off for Barnoldswick, who have won 11 of their 13 games so far this season.

And their latest win was as emphatic as you could imagine on Saturday.

The match at Cherry Tree was one of only three to beat the weather – the others involving overnight leaders Baxenden and pre-season title favourites Read – and it was one sided.

Cherry Tree were bowled out for just 96 with Nazir scorching his way to 7-35 from his 16 overs, including a hat-trick.

Then Umar Saddique clattered an unbeaten 70 as Barnoldswick roared home in just 21.1 overs.

With news coming through that Baxenden had been beaten by Padiham and of Read’s tie with Earby, Barlick could celebrate going to the top.

But Nicholls knows there is still a long way to go – and many more twists and turns before anyone can start thinking of getting their hands on the silverware.

“It’s nice to be at the top but there’s still half a season to go and a lot can happen in that time,” warned the Yorkshireman.

“And I would be saying just the same thing even if we were second or third, a few points off the lead.

“We have the simple game plan and it is working and working well at the moment.

"Being top is obviously nice – but it is being top after 26 games that counts. Being on the top after 13 matches means very little.”