Keighley 220-9

Brighouse 123

TWO teenagers guided Keighley to a 97-run victory at Brighouse in Bradford Premier League Championship Two.

Keighley skipper Paul Quinlan won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry looking wicket that he thought would start to break up later in the game.

Quinlan was beginning to regret his decision as good line and length bowling from the Brighouse bowlers brought early rewards and Keighley were soon reduced to 17-3.

The Keighley middle order dug in, however, and looked to capitalise upon some loose Brighouse fielding.

Louis Horsfield (40), Max Davidson (29) and Quinlan (25) pushed the score on until a couple of quick wickets left Keighley at 139-7 with still 12 overs to go, swinging the advantage back to Brighouse.

This brought together Nathan Storton and overseas amateur Abe Kenny.

With a confidence that would embarrass much senior players, the two 18-year-olds not only repelled the Brighouse attack but aggressively turned the screw and swung the advantage back to Keighley. They notched up a 69-run partnership at a run a ball until Storton eventually perished, caught for 42 (in just 36 deliveries) off the penultimate ball with Kenny finishing 32 not out, taking Keighley to 220-9 in their allotted 50 overs.

On a deteriorating pitch, Brighouse’s reply got off to a good start, opening pair Chris Wynd and Qaisar Hameed sharing a 61-run partnership.

Holding his nerve, skipper Quinlan bowling excellent line and length broke the partnership, Wynd falling for 23 with a fine stumping from keeper Adam Smith.

This dismissal spurred Keighley’s captain and his team on, backed up with good fielding and another economic spell of bowling from spinner Adam Greenwood (2-34 in 15 overs), Quinlan went through the Brighouse top and middle order with 5-44 and bowling Brighouse all out for 123 in just over 37 overs.

Keighley II 252-6

Brighouse II 86

KEIGHLEY’S second string entertained Brighouse seconds at Lawkholme, their second home match on the bounce.

Skipper Alex Towler won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that looked as if it would favour his batsmen.

Keighley lost early wickets and they were soon on the rack at 14-2.

Opener Martin Walker, who was looking to build on his encouraging 96 not out start from the previous week needed a partner and he found one in Jack Beetham, the pair making a fine partnership of 82 until Beetham was given out lbw for 40.

Walker as now in his stride and punished some wayward Brighouse bowling. He was backed up with good knocks from Towler (35) and vice-captain Hami Shahzad (20 from only nine deliveries). But it was Walker who kept the Keighley score ticking over and he got his just rewards, reaching his century in the last over of the innings and finishing 101no in a total of 252-6.

Brighouse never got their reply going and were in trouble as soon as the second over with Dillon Birkett getting his first victim of the afternoon.

Shahzad struck in the next over and Brighouse were 3-2.

Wickets kept tumbling, Brighouse were unable to get any partnership going and other than a defiant 32 from Majid Khan, were all out for just 86 in less than 24 overs, giving Keighley a fine 166-run victory and maximum points.

All four bowlers used got wickets with Birkett (4-32) and Harry Barker (3-23), the two with the biggest rewards.