IT'S early days, but Keighley's first team are among only four unbeaten teams in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship Division Two.

They followed up their opening-day victory at home to Hopton Mills by winning a tight encounter at Spen Victoria, but it was hardly plain sailing.

Visiting skipper Andrew Wear elected to bowl on a wicket that he thought might accept spin, but it was an early breakthrough by seamer James Rogers (2-13) that put Spen on the back foot.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, with good bowling performances from Rogers, overseas player Travis Nightingale (2-17), Matthew Haines (3-39) and Wear (3-30) being backed up by some fine catching as the hosts were dismissed for 150 in the 43rd over.

Keighley's reply got off to a dreadful start, with both the higher and middle-order batsmen struggling to cope with the two-paced pitch as they slipped to 32-6.

However, No 8 batsman Sam Murphy did not seem to be affected by the pressure and, with the help of a gutsy 41 not out from 141 deliveries from opener Luke Chapman, who had seen all the carnage at first hand, Murphy finished with 78 not out from just 96 deliveries, including two sixes.

They shared an unbeaten stand of 122 to see Keighley, whose attitude was again exemplary, to a four-wicket victory.

Meanwhile, Keighley's second team recorded their first win of the season in Championship One, but it proved a good time to play visitors Wrenthorpe, who could only field eight players, having at least six public schoolboys unavailable.

Enthusiasm undimmed, however, Wrenthorpe opted to bat first.

Experienced pair Richard Smith (30) and Paul Marshall (17) took them to 56-1, when both were dismissed, but Michael Race, who hit the ball cleanly from the off, then made a wonderful 66 off just 45 balls.

However, Keighley dug in to dismiss the Wakefield side for 152, with 15-year-old left-arm spinner Owen Narey taking 3-45.

Keighley's opening batsmen, the evergreen Allan Birkett (30) and youngster Martin Walker (10) then picked the holes in the depleted visitors' field, but the loss of both, plus Greg Wilkinson, Daniel Murphy and Jack Rogers, reduced the hosts to 84-5.

Fortunately for Keighley, Sam Johnson – their new signing from Idle – dug deep, making 59 not out and adding 70 with Narey (16no) to see them home by five wickets, prompting optimistic noises for the season ahead from skipper Rogers.