Scholes 68 all out

Keighley 69-3

KEIGHLEY, desperate to end a losing streak of several weeks, travelled to bottom-placed Scholes in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship One.

Winning the toss, Keighley skipper Paul Quinlan, without hesitation, invited the home side to bat first on a damp-looking wicket, clearly effected by the previous day’s downfall of heavy rain.

His decision gave immediate dividends to James Rogers who completely destroyed the higher and middle order of Scholes's line-up with a blistering spell of pace and seam bowling. He returned figures of 4-25, leaving Scholes at 8-4 wickets at one point.

A 41-run fifth-wicket stand between Muhammed Rafiq (19) and Scholes captain Craig Wood (18) gave their side hope, but this saw Quinlan change tact opting to take pace off the ball, introducing overseas Alex Antoine to the attack.

The St Lucian spinner did not disappoint, as he tore through the remaining Scholes batsmen with an elegant spell of spin and turn finishing with 5-10, Scholes had been dismissed for just 68 in just 25 overs.

Keighley’s reply was a steady one as openers Luke Chapman and Antoine put on an opening wicket partnership of 38 before the latter fell for 24.

But the damage had been done and despite losing two more wickets, Keighley got past the winning post in less than 20 overs, Chapman finishing unbeaten on 24.

The win sees Keighley move two places up the table to eighth and importantly 32 points away from the relegation zone.

With four games left, Quinlan believes one more win will leave the Lawkholme Laners safe and consolidated and after their promotion last year. They entertain Pudsey Congs at Lawkholme on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Keighley’s II entertained Carlton in a huge relegation battle, Keighley being third from bottom and Carlton fourth from bottom.

Winning the toss, Keighley stand-in skipper Dillon Birkett asked the away team to bat first, the home side preferring to chase a total down.

Birkett and Ben Jagger soon made inroads into the Carlton order, removing both openers with just nine on the board.

However, fine knocks from Daniel Wilbor (34), Matthew Rowett (55) and William Hayton (64) gave Carlton respectability and they eventually posted 178-9 in their allotted 45 overs. Birkett finished with figures of 3-41 and Jagger 3-37.

Keighley’s reply was a steady one with openers Lee Gordon (20) and Adam Qurban (36) giving them a good base.

Further knocks from Owen Narey (40) and Danny Horne (24) should have taken the Lawkholme Laners to the finishing line, but wickets fell at the wrong time, not helped by three run outs.

They ended up 19 runs short of their target, being dismissed in the 42nd over.

The defeat sees Keighley just 10 points above the relegation zone with four games of the season remaining. On Saturday, they travel to promotion-chasing Bradford & Bingley.

Meanwhile, Keighley's Under-19s, who were representing West Yorkshire, missed out on a second Yorkshire Cup in two years as they lost in the final to Ellsecar.