New Australian overseas player Andrew King was a key contributor on his home debut as Keighley went top of the early Bradford League Division Two table.

The opening bowler brought in from Victorian club Elsternwick claimed three early wickets in Bowling Old Lane’s reply to the hosts’ creditable total of 203-8 off a rain-reduced 45 overs.

He had Amjid Tariq caught behind and then trapped Tahir Khan and Ayyaz Akram to leave Old Lane reeling at 40-4 and they were always up against it from then on.

King ended up with 3-38 as Joe Stead (2-26) and Richard Robinson (2-36) also weighed in with wickets to restrict the visitors to 127-7.

That figure was well short of Keighley’s target which had been compiled thanks to some solid contributions throughout the order, namely from Jack Beetham (46) and Richard Wear (42), who again impressed with the bat after making 97 the week before.

Victory means new 20-year-old skipper Freddie Pearson has started his reign with two wins out of two, putting his side top of the table with 35 points.

Keighley host relegated Saltaire on Saturday and have a bye from Sunday’s first round Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup programme.

George Barker made 50 not out and Ryan Mooney 49 as Yeadon compiled a total of 181-8 at home to Keighley II, who were dismissed for 116 with Jitender Singh taking 3-28. Those were the same figures as Ross Towler returned for the visitors.

Keighley II head to Baildon II on Saturday.