KEIGHLEY entertained Hartshead Moor at a sun drenched Lawkholme Lane this past weekend in what was billed as a big relegation scrap.

Hartshead won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to build a big total on a very flat deck. But Keighley’s opening bowling pair of Shahzada Khan (1 for 24) and Ben Helmsley (1 for 31) were both in a mean mood and backed up with good fielding Hartshead’s batsmen struggled to get their scoring rate above three an over.

Paul Quinlan (3 for 66) and James Massheder (2 for 46) continued in the same vein and other than a quick fire 39 from David McCallum and the fact that every other Hartshead batsman made double figures but could not go on to create a big innings, Hartshead closed their innings on 175 for 7 on a wicket that should have produced at least fifty more runs.

But with the pressure of knowing they needed to win, Keighley’s response was poor to say the least and with Josh Marsden (4 for 39) in fine form, Hartshead reduced the Lawkholme Laners to 48 for 5 with skipper Max Davidson wondering if he could find a partner from his middle to lower order.

Nathan Storton (33) and Helmsley (29) duly obliged and with just two wickets remaining Davidson steered his team over the line with a fine 56 not out with eleven balls to spare. The victory was Keighley's third on the bounce.