KEIGHLEY crashed to a one-wicket defeat to East Bierley in Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League Division One.

East Bierley won the toss and elected to bat first. Samuel Gatenby top scored for his side with a 50 from 75 balls as East Bierley made a total of 181 all out from 46.1 overs.

Keighley’s top bowling performance came from Noah McFadyen who took 4-61 from his 15-over spell.

Ben Hemsley took 2-33 from his 9.1-over bowling stint, while there was a wicket apiece for Paul Quinlan and Simon Bailey.

In reply, Keighley fell agonisingly short as they were dismissed for 180 from 49 overs.

This was after a disappointing start as skipper Scott Etherington fell for a duck to put his side 2-1.

But Keighley soon recovered and looked well placed at 104-3 at one stage.

However, their wickets tumbled as they finished on the losing end of this league contest.

Keighley opener Billy Whitford top scored for his side with 47 from 133 balls, including four fours.

McFadyen fired 42 from 68 deliveries, with Quinlan the next top scorer for Keighley with 27 in last Saturday’s contest.

The narrow defeat leaves Keighley ninth in the table with 61 points from their opening six games of the season.

They will be hoping for a change in their fortunes when they travel to Jenny Lane to face Baildon this Saturday (12.30pm start).

Meanwhile, Keighley’s second team beat Wakefield St Michaels by three wickets in the Second XI Division Two.

Keighley’s total of 143-7 was too much for Wakefield who were dismissed for 142.