Keighley skipper Richard Robinson wants his players to show their true ability in Saturday’s crunch clash at home to Idle.

The Lawkholme Laners suffered their sixth straight defeat in completed matches against Spen Victoria last week after a poor batting display.

It has left them facing the surprising prospect of dropping into the bottom two should they lose this weekend and Robinson wants his side to prove they are better than that.

He said: “I’ve said to them ‘go out and enjoy it, express yourself and show what you can do’.

“They are much better players than what they have been showing.”

Keighley have the highest number of batting bonus points in the division, despite sitting third from bottom.

But frustratingly they have found runs harder to come by when the bowlers have performed – last week’s defeat to Spen being a prime example.

Ross Towler (4-45) and Joe Stead (3-67) restricted the visitors to 190-9 but Keighley could not make three figures in response as Ben Platt took 6-29 to help dismiss them for just 95.

Robinson said: “We’ve got more batting points than anyone so I can’t really blame the batsmen. But we are not batting and bowling well together at the same time.

“If you lose six games in a row then you’re going to lose confidence but all the guys have been down training this week and we’re working hard to put things right.”

Keighley also entertain reigning league champions Woodlands on Sunday (11am) in the first round of the Dyson Energy Services Twenty/20 Cup.

There was a thrilling finish at Lightcliffe II, where Keighley II sneaked a one-wicket win.

Amjid Hussain struck 72 as Keighley scraped past the hosts’ 174 (Michael Brooke 65, Andrew Coppen 5-44) in the 51st over – the first of three extra overs they gained for bowling out the home side inside the distance.

Keighley II visit Hartshead Moor on Saturday.