KEIGHLEY travelled to Lightcliffe at the weekend in Division One of the Bradford Premier League, winning the crucial relegation battle by 54 runs.

Lightcliffe won the toss and invited Keighley to bat first on a pitch that looked to offer something for both batsman and bowler.

Keighley’s main issue with the bat this season has been a lack of partnerships and this proved to be the case once more.

The Lightcliffe bowlers ran through the upper and middle order, with wickets tumbling on regular basis, and Keighley found themselves in trouble at 84-5.

Fortunately, Keighley’s tail wagged, with several lower order batters chipping in.

Nathan Storton top scored with 39 as the Lawkholme Laners managed to bat out their 50 overs, posting a challenging total of 202-8.

Despite losing a wicket in the first over, Lightcliffe’s batsmen steadily built a strong reply.

A second wicket partnership of 93 from Subhaan Ammar (43) and the experienced Mark Gill (47) put the hosts in pole position to take the win.

Desperate Keighley skipper Max Davidson turned to his spin option of James Massheder and this proved to be the turning point of the game.

Leggie Massheder immediately found turn and movement and ripped through the Lightcliffe batting order, returning figures of 5-34.

A stunned Lightcliffe crumbled to 148 all out, giving Keighley a much-needed victory.

The win keeps them 10 points above the relegation zone with four games to play.

They entertain third-placed side Birstall at Lawkholme this Saturday.

While the first team gave themselves a boost in their relegation battle, sadly Keighley's inexperienced seconds look to be on the brink after they were thumped by 133 runs at home to East Ardsley.

The visitors won the toss and did not hesitate in batting first on a great-looking wicket.

The decision proved the right one as the East Ardsley batters plundered runs off the young Keighley attack.

An impressive knock of 102 from just 45 deliveries from Tom Daniels helped East Ardsley to post a massive 290-4 off their allotted 45 overs.

Mohammed Abbas was the pick of the Keighley bowlers, taking 3-44.

Keighley’s reply was always unlikely to come off, and despite another good knock from Adam Qurban (69), the Lawkholme Laners were dismissed in the 33rd over for 157.

The loss sees Keighley adrift by 33 runs at the bottom of the table, with relegation all but confirmed.

They travel to leaders Jer Lane this weekend.