KEIGHLEY made it two wins out of two in the Bradford Premier League Championship B with a comfortable win against struggling Spen Victoria at Lawkholme Lane.

On a well-prepared-looking wicket, away captain Mark Loker fancied a bat first and thus instigated the toss; sadly, he lost and home captain Andrew Wear had no hesitation in batting first.

Buoyant after their previous weeks result, the Keighley batsmen got stuck into the opposition bowling attack with pace. Runs came quickly but also wickets.

Skipper Wear (41) and 17-year-old Nathan Storton (58 from only 45 deliveries) was the main effort of Keighley’s innings of 213 all out. The disappointing element was that this happened in the 39th over, leaving the away team with 60 rather than 50 overs to chase the total down.

Fortunately, Keighley’s bowlers never gave the Spen batsmen a chance to get anywhere near the total with some excellent bowling from several of their younger players.

Keighley have set their stall out for the future with trust in their excellent youth set-up and disciplined bowling from Storton (2-41), James Rogers (2-8), vice-captain Matt Haines (2-24) and, making his first team debut, 15-year-old Owen Narey (3-31) saw Spen bowled out for 131 – 83 short of their target.

The victory saw Keighley remain in sixth place, but the gap has closed considerably on second spot with other results going their way.

The day after, Keighley missed out on a semi-final spot in the Jack Hampshire cup after being convincingly beaten by Altofts at Lawkholme by six wickets.

The home side, batting first, were in trouble from the second over with skipper Andy Wear being caught for one. Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals and Keighley were eventually dismissed for a lowly 117 in the 35th over.

The only positive mark for the hosts was wicketkeeper Adam Smith’s knock of 42 in just 43 deliveries.

Despite losing their first wicket with just six on the board, Altofts comfortably chased down the runs with more than 13 overs to spare. Skipper Farrouk Alam was yet again the thorn in Keighley’s side with a smart 56.

Pick of the home bowlers was vice-captain Matt Haines with 2-31.

Keighley travel to Altofts on Saturday hoping to gain revenge in the league.

Keighley II’s woes continued at Wrenthorpe. On a green-looking wicket, away skipper Jack Rogers asked the home side to bat first.

They set about the young Keighley attack on a hot afternoon as several top-order Wrenthorpe batsmen plundered the runs, accumulating a large total of 252-3 in their 45 overs, Matthew Race top-scoring with an explosive 68 off just 41 deliveries.

In reply Keighley got off to a good start and at 80-2 were well in the game until Wrenthorpe introduced their spin bowlers and used the sloping wicket to their advantage, seeing the away team eventually dismissed for 164 in the 42nd over.

Pick of the Keighley batsmen was Luke Chapman, who stood alone at the end with 68 not out. As has been the case several times, this young side have not capitulated in front of greater experienced opposition but more is required to see them over the line.