NOT for the first time this season, Keighley failed to build on a solid start to their innings in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship Division Two.

Asked to bat first without the toss at home to Northowram Fields, Keighley started strongly and at 65-1 looked set for a big total.

However, first-change bowlers Ashton Richardson (4-28) and Jason Smith (3-33) not only dismantled the Keighley batting line-up but also slowed down the run rate, with the home team finally being dismissed in the 50th over for 134.

Luke Chapman’s 39 was the highlight of the innings, skipper and fellow opener Andy Wear making 22, while the total was boosted by a last-wicket stand of 26 between James Rogers (18no) and Dillon Birkett (7).

Defending that score was never going to be easy and, despite disciplined bowling, the away team got over the line in the 43rd over with three wickets to spare.

Northowram were 69-5, but they were guided towards their target by Shakeel Mahmood (45) and skipper John Lister (11), who added 33 for the sixth wicket.

Keighley vice-captain Matthew Haines took 3-48 and 17-year-old James Rogers 2-26 in his 14 overs.

Northowram Fields are now up to third, and just a point behind them are Hunslet Nelson, who have dropped from second to fourth.

That is where Keighley, who have dropped a spot to seventh, are on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the struggles of Keighley's second team continue in Championship Division One.

Asking home side Cleckheaton to bat first without the toss, ten-man Keighley started the game well, having Cleckheaton on the ropes at 40-2 after 14 overs.

Keighley’s bowlers continued to work hard, bowling good, disciplined lines against a strong batting line-up, but sadly with scant reward for their efforts.

Cleckheaton batted out their full 45 overs, but were restricted to 182-4, with Steve Noble making 78 and Shahid Rehman 56.

The pick of the Keighley bowlers was Ben Jagger, who took 3-55 from 14 overs.

The main problem that the young second team have faced this season has been the ability to make big scores, and this was evident yet again with wickets tumbling as early as the second over.

Cleckheaton’s experienced bowling line-up cleaved their way through the Keighley batsmen, bowling them for a paltry 54, with only four of the batsmen scoring runs.

'Mr Extras' was the highest scorer with 18, followed by No7 Jack Rogers (16), Owen Narey (9), chairman and No 11 Paul Barker (7no) and Martin Walker (4), with the other six batsmen getting ducks, two of them being golden.

The basement boys have a week to re-gather themselves before they entertain mid-table Wakefield St Michaels this weekend.