Towler to boost club’s promotion chances

9:35am Thursday 10th April 2008

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Keighley Cricket Club's first team are targeting promotion to the Bradford League's First Division after just missing out on the final day of last season.

Their bid for promotion will by helped by the return of bowler Dale Towler, who comes back to the club to be reunited with brother Ross Towler, one of Keigh-ley's best two bowlers last season.

Dale played for Keighley before emigrating to Australia three years ago.

Keighley chairman Bob Chapman said: "Dale has been playing cricket in Melbourne and is only coming back for the summer. So in a way you could he's an overseas player who's coming home again."

Keighley will not be bringing in any other overseas players this year, as last year's Australian, Greg Kennedy, had considered coming back but instead accepted a better offer from another Yorkshire club.

Chapman said Keighley have two new players this year - Scott Hartley from Oakworth and Liam Dyson of Oxenhope - though he said they may not play in the first team this season. The club will be concentrating on developing young players who made an impact last season, including youngsters Max Davidson and Paul Quinlan, who Chapman said the club has put forward to take part in Yorkshire County Cricket Club's Pathways to Excellence scheme.

One player with a wealth of experience coming back for a seventh season at Keighley is all rounder Richard Robinson.

Robinson said: "We were disappointed not get promoted last season. We were in the top two on the last day of the season, easily won our final game yet missed out on promotion because of the league's batting points system."

Robinson will also serve as one of two players' representatives on the Bradford League's Management Board.

He will replace Esholt's Richard Whitehurst, who had to step down because of work commitments. The other rep is Babar Butt of Pudsey Congs. Robinson, who was elected to the position at a captain's meeting last week, is looking forward to the new role.

He said: "I'm very keen on it. It's an honour to be on the management board. I'll be getting feedback by players from around the league."

Robinson, who is also Keighley's groundsman, said the club's Lawkholme Lane ground is in good shape going into the season despite being a bit soft because of the snow that has fallen.

Keighley's first team is in action this Sunday when they play a friendly against last year's rivals Yeadon. The second team also play a friendly against Craven & District League club Ingrow St John's on Saturday. Both games will held at Lawkholme Lane.