AFTER a thrilling win away at Pudsey Congs the previous week, Keighley entertained early pacesetters Gomersal in Division One of the Bradford Premier League.

Winning the toss, Keighley skipper Max Davidson decided to bat first on a dry looking wicket that had the potential to break up later in the day.

However, tight Gomersal bowling made runs hard to come by and Keighley’s batsmen toiled away throughout their innings, with big partnerships never cemented as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Despite seven Keighley players making double figures, they were eventually bowled out in the 49th over for 163.

Paul Quinlan top scored with 22, with Chris Greenwood the pick of the Gomersal attack with 4-48.

In reply, Keighley’s opening bowling pair of Shahzada Khan (2-60) and Quinlan (2-44) made early inroads into the Gomersal batting line up, and at 26-3, the home side were in the ascendency.

But the calm head of opener Graham Hilton (60 not out), with good backing from Andy Gorrod (45) and skipper Richie Wear (30no), saw Gomersal reach their target with just four wickets down and nearly seven overs to spare.

Afterwards, Davidson highlighted the fact that Keighley were probably 40 runs short in their own innings and said he hopes his young team will learn from this and move on.

They travel to Hartshead Moor this coming weekend.

Keighley’s seconds lost again after making their longest journey of the season to Great Preston.

Winning the toss, Keighley’s skipper Dillon Birkett elected to bat first, hoping that his batting line up could make use of a good looking wicket and achieve a larger total than they had produced in the previous two matches.

Sadly, and despite top scorer Adam Qurban (27) and Ryan Ridehalgh (22) putting on 48 runs for the second wicket, Keighley lacked any further partnerships.

With wickets falling regularly, the Lawkholme Laners were bowled out cheaply for 125 in just 32 overs.

Like in the opening two games of the season, Keighley’s bowling attack nearly got them out of the mire again and with Mohammed Abbas leading the way taking 4-48, Great Preston found themselves still 20 short with only two wickets remaining.

But Adam James (20no) got the home team over the line, meaning the seconds are still without a win this season.

They welcome Methley this coming weekend.

Meanwhile, Crossflatts’ visit to Gildersome & Farnley Hill saw them pick up another win in Division Three of the Bradford League.

The away side took the honours by 10 runs on a comparison of scores after Gildersome & Farnley Hill made 195-7 in 42 overs.

Crossflatts had been 205-9 at the same stage of their innings on their way to an eventual 221.

Joe Greenwood led the way with 87 for Crossflatts while Tom Lindsay made 51 for Gildersome & Farnley Hill after earlier taking 4-52.

BY PAUL BARKER