KEIGHLEY entertained East Bierley on Saturday at Lawkholme Lane, with a 49-run defeat meaning their final day home game with Lightcliffe becomes a winner takes all clash, with the loser set to be relegated.

East Bierley won the toss at the weekend and decided to bat first on a fantastic looking wicket that was more than likely going to produce runs.

From the start, the hard-hitting East Bierley top order, led by Samuel Gatenby, set about the Keighley attack with some vicious ball-striking.

Taking advantages of some errors in the field, Gatenby got to 103 before his dismissal.

This, backed up by several other good performances, saw the away team build an impressive total of 285-5 in their allotted 50 overs.

The pick of the Keighley bowlers was Shahzada Khan with 2-53.

Despite losing two early wickets in their chase, Keighley’s reply looked solid with Louis Horsfield (46) and Max Davidson (38) at the crease, and they took the Lawkholme Laners past the 100 mark very quickly.

However, once they were out, the middle order collapsed, and despite good knocks from Ben Helmsley (58 not out) and Khan (40), they could only make 236-9 in their 50 overs.

With Lightcliffe winning at Carlton, the defeat sees Keighley fall into the last relegation spot.

They must now beat Lightcliffe in the last game of the season this coming Saturday at Lawkholme in a huge winner takes all game in order to avoid relegation.

As for the Keighley second string, their slim hopes of survival were dashed over the weekend at Bradford & Bingley, as their relegation was confirmed with another heavy defeat.

B&B, who are pushing for promotion, needed a big win, and after winning the toss they decided to bat first against a Keighley team containing six third team players.

The ensuing carnage was inevitable as the home team rattled up a huge total of 274-5, their top scorer being Jack Sharp with an impressive 114.

In reply, Keighley were all out for a paltry 104 in the 32nd over, with Adam Qurban showing the most resistance with 24.