Keighley suffer a promotion setback

12:54pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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Keighley lost more ground in their race for promotion when they suffered a 52-run defeat at home to Idle on Saturday.

In a rain-shortened match Idle batted first and after a slow start when they were on 48 for five, two important partnerships allowed them to finish on 166 for seven in 35 overs.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 50 between John Barton (33) and Luke Heinemann (27) and an unbeaten stand of 57 by Mark Nicklin (28 not out) and Andy Marshall (36 not out) were the highlights for the visitors.

Ross Towler was the pick of the Keighley bowlers, taking two for 23 off 11 overs.

Keighley, who were without the influential Richard Robinson, were unable to post any big scores in their innings and fell well short of the target.

Stuart Ratcliffe was the top scorer with 24, Max Davidson and Richard Wood both had knocks of 15, while Andrew Waggett and skipper Stephen Reape chipped in with scores of 14 and 12 respectively, as the home side closed on 114 for eight in their 25 overs.

Idle scored 17 points to Keighley's three, meaning Keighley now trail second placed Idle by 27 points in the race for promotion.

Second team matches

The weekend was not much better for Keighley's second team, who lost their league game at Pudsey St Lawrence on Saturday and were knocked out of the Priestley Shield on Sunday at Hanging Heaton.

In the cup tie on Sunday, Hanging Heaton batted first and scored 178 for nine, thanks mainly to a fine knock by No 9 Michael Horner, who hit an unbeaten 52.

Ashley Robinson was the pick of the Keighley bowlers, taking three for 34 in ten overs.

In reply only three Keighley batsmen managed to score in double figures as the locals crashed to 86 all out in 36 overs.

Paul Wilkinson top scored with 25 while Liam Dyson and Allen Birkett scored 15 runs apiece.

In their league match on Saturday Keighley seconds were beaten by 89 runs at Pudsey St Lawrence.

The home side batted first and amassed a formidable total of 228 for five. They were led by a fine knock of 76 by Kaser Maroof. Nick Robinson took a pair of wickets for Keighley.

In reply the Lawkholme Lane side scored 139 runs before they were bowled out in the second to last over.

Liam Dyson top scored with 26, Jonny Wilkinson and Warris Ismail each had knocks of 19 and Chris Crook and Paul Wilkinson scored 18 and 17 runs respectively.