A STUNNING fightback from some of Keighley’s junior talent saw the Lawkholme Lane side make it three wins from three at home to a strong Altofts side in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship Two.

On a reasonably flat looking wicket, the away team decided they wanted to toss the coin, which they duly won and elected to bat first.

This appeared to be a bad decision as Keighley’s opening pair of James Rogers and Nathan Storton (both aged 17) reduced the visitors to 86-5.

However, this brought to the crease Farrouk Alam, the Altofts skipper who, with the help of several mid to late order batsmen, compiled an excellent 87 from 84 deliveries, taking his side to 207 all out in the 45th over.

The pick of Keighley’s bowlers were Rogers (4-46), Storton (3-70) and 16-year-old Dillon Birkett (2-38).

Keighley’s reply got off to a great start with openers Jack Beetham and skipper Andy Wear sharing an opening stand of 67. However, Altofts skipper Alam (7-45) proved just as handy with the ball.

On as a change bowler, he dismissed Beetham (23) and then set about the top and middle order, reducing Keighley to 104-7. Captain Wear stood firm and found a partner in Storton until the captain’s dismissal for a glorious 82.

The score at this point was 134-8 and Keighley still needed an unlikely 74 to win, especially taking into account the remaining batsmen's lack of experience in Storton, Rogers and Birkett.

However, Keighley's youngsters are part of a successful junior set-up at Lawkholme Lane. With guile beyond their years, Rogers (23), Storton (54no) and Birkett (5no) steered them home by one wicket on the penultimate ball of the innings in fading light to the cheers of the home support.

The future bodes well for the club on this evidence, with Keighley sitting pretty in second place ahead of Saturday's trip to Carlton.

Meanwhile, a depleted Keighley second team came unstuck at Undercliffe with a five-wicket defeat.

On a blustery afternoon at Intake Road, Keighley skipper Rory Robinson elected to bat first on what looked a flat wicket. However, it proved to be anything but flat, with invariable bounce helping the Undercliffe attack to bowl Keighley out for a miserly 92 in 32 overs.

The only offer of real resistance came from 16-year-old Harry Barker with 35 not out.

Despite losing a wicket in the first over, Undercliffe always looked in control with their chase and crossed the winning line with five wickets down, Ben Jagger and Robinson claiming two apiece.

With players coming back into the team this week, Robinson is hoping for a much better performance at home to Carlton.