TERRY Braithwaite has conceded defeat in the battle for the Jennings Ribblesdale League title with a month of the season still to play.

Braithwaite, skipper of third-placed Ribblesdale Wanderers, accepts his side can no longer catch runaway leaders Read, who are closing in on a league and cup double.

And now he's set his sights on pipping Great Harwood to second place instead as Wanderers attempt to secure a second successive Lancashire Cup spot.

"I don't think anyone is going to catch Read now," said Braithwaite, whose side kept in the hunt for runners-up spot with a five-wicket win over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel at the weekend.

"Our aim now must be to finish second instead.

"Now that Read have won the cup that will make them even more determined to clinch the league as well.

"If they were going to make any mistakes then they would have done it by now.

"For us to catch them now they've got to lose four of their last five and we've got to win four and I can't see them doing that."

Nevertheless, Braithwaite has been encouraged by what he has seen from his own side this season.

Last summer, they finished fourth to clinch a place in the Lancashire Cup and they remain on course to better that this time, providing they can keep their nerve during the run-in.

"Finishing in the Lancashire Cup places again would make it another successful season for us," said Braithwaite.

"We qualified for it last year by finishing fourth and I'd like to think we can finish above fourth this time, which would show we've improved.

"David Howard has done well for us this season by taking 55 wickets and the pro has chipped in with his usual contribution.

"And there's more amateur batsman this time making 300 runs or more which is a further sign of improvement.

"We got some decent young lads coming through and several more will get their chance from the second team in the future so things are quite healthy."

Wanderers' hopes of a top four finish may go a long way to being decided this weekend when they take on two of their closest rivals.

On Saturday, they entertain sixth-placed Cherry Tree at Church Meadow with nine points currently separating the two sides.

Then it's a local derby against fourth-placed Clitheroe on Sunday at Chatburn Road, who currently trail Wanderers by a point.

"A lot could be determined this weekend," said Braithwaite.

"Cherry Tree are always difficult opponents because they've always got matchwinners in their side.

"Then it's Clitheroe on Sunday and there's always a bit more at stake when we play them.

"But I just wish I'd had a bit of money on the top four at the start of the season.

"I said it would be Read, Great Harwood, Settle and us and I'm not going to be far wrong."