AIRE WHARFE CRICKET LEAGUE

IMPRESSIVE bowling and batting displays helped Keighley cut the gap on their closest rivals Gomersal to just two points as the race for promotion hots up.

The 97-run victory ended a two-game losing streak for Keighley and reignites their hopes of reaching the top flight.

They were indebted to a quick-fire 74 by Richard Robinson and some tight bowling by the Towler brothers Ross (4-55) and Dale (3-21) to secure the vital away win.

The visitors batted first and were given a solid foundation by opening pair Robinson and Matthew Bottomley (30) who put on 76 runs.

After Robinson followed his partner back in the pavilion Gomersal upped the pressure as they claimed two quick wickets to leave Keighley at 136-4 having stood at 133-1 just minutes earlier.

Max Davidson's 20 steadied the ship before Kashif Naveed claimed a hat-trick as Keighley fell to 183-8. However Paul Quinlan (31no) and Dale Towler (21) put on a ninth-wicket partnership of 40 to give Keighley a respectable 223 to defend. The job was made considerably easier thanks to Ross Towler bowling Gomersal dangerman Richard Gould for just one run as the hosts stumbled in their reply.

Wickets fell regularly as Ross Towler and Davidson Keighley quickly took their opponents to 40-4.

Only hat-trick hero Naveed offered some resistance to the onslaught as he hit a 54-ball half-century.

But his team-mates failed to support him as the Towlers and Davidson polished off the tail and Gomersal were dismissed for 188.

Keighley Seconds WARIS Ismael was the star performer as Keighley Seconds made light work seeing off Woodlands to secure a four-wicket victory.

Batting first, the visitors made just 141 off their 50 overs as Ismael ended with five off 15 overs at the cost of 41 runs, ably supported by the economical Andrew Coppen (2-17) and Paul Wilkinson (2-25).

In reply, an opening stand of 53 by Liam Dyson and Christopher Crook gave Keighley the solid start they were hoping for.

Neither could convert their early form into half-centuries, leaving Alan Broadley (35) and Wilkinson (24) to steer their side towards victory before Alan Birkett and Jake Hoyle saw them home.