Baildon 202-8

Keighley 158-9

KEIGHLEY made the short trip to Baildon in their All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship One clash, hoping to make it three wins in succession.

Keighley skipper Paul Quinlan lost the toss and his team was asked to field first in what would be a 42-over game thanks to the inclement weather.

A bright start from the Baildon openers saw Quinlan change tact, taking pace off the ball with the introduction of overseas spin star Alex Antoine into the attack.

It did not take Antoine long to find his line and he picked up three quick wickets to leave Baildon on 49-3.

However, this brought Blair Oakley to the crease who made a spirited 61 from just 75 deliveries.

He was backed up with several cameos as the Keighley attack (other than Antoine) struggled to make breakthroughs; Baildon eventually finished on 202-8, seven of these wickets taken by Antoine.

Keighley’s reply never really got going.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as the run-rate increased, adding further pressure on the batsmen.

The returning Richard Gould top scored with 45, backed up by Luke Chapman (37) and Nathan Storton (34) but Keighley closed on 158-9, 44 runs short of their target.

The defeat sees Keighley slip to seventh in the Championship One table; they entertain top-placed Batley at Lawkholme Lane thsi Saturday.

Meanwhile, Keighley’s second string, who are third from bottom, hosted second from bottom club Undercliffe last weekend in the Bradford Premier League Championship One.

Stand-in skipper Dillon Birkett lost the toss and was invited to bat first on a damp wicket.

Opener Adam Qurban, who has been Keighley’s most consistent batsman in recent weeks, once again put together a well-constructed innings, his fine knock of 61 included six boundaries.

He was well supported as six other Keighley batsmen made double figures as they posted a challenging 194 being all out in the last over.

Good line and length bowling from Keighley’s attack, coupled with some excellent fielding restricted Undercliffe’s scoring rate. They got further and further behind the rate as the overs ticked down.

Birkett led the way with 3-35 as Undercliffe batted out their overs for 136-8, 58 runs short of their target.

The victory sees Keighley still third from bottom but crucially they are now 21 points clear of second-from-bottom Undercliffe; they travel to Cleckheaton this weekend.