KEIGHLEY Cricket Club finally got their Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League Division Two campaign underway on Saturday, and some sensational spin bowling from Daanyaal Ahmed ensured it was worth the wait.

The Lawkholme Laners had seen their opening-day fixture at Hopton Mills called off, meaning their opener instead came at home to Heckmondwike & Carlinghow this weekend.

Keighley won the toss and elected to field, in what turned out to be an extremely smart decision.

Ahmed had the visiting batsmen all at sea, taking 7-22 from his 14 overs, with the innings wrapped up in double quick time.

Heckmondwike & Carlinghow were bowled out for only 124, with six of Ahmed’s dismissals being either bowled or leg before wicket.

Yet Keighley made a horrendous start to their reply, and looked as if they had thrown away their chances of winning.

Opener Zahir Shah struck a composed 25, but captain Simon Bailey was the only other member of the home side’s top six to reach double figures, as they slumped to 55-6.

Fortunately for Keighley, the seventh-wicket pairing of Noah Thirkill and Lucas Keslinke held their nerve.

Thirkill played sensibly to make 21 not out, while keeper Keslinke was the star of the innings, making a superb unbeaten 44 from 51 balls, with three fours and three sixes.

The pair put on an unbroken 70 to ensure Keighley won the game by four wickets, in a partnership that was completely out of keeping with the rest of the carnage the bowlers had inflicted throughout the game.

Keighley will look to build on that victory this coming Saturday in their next league game, which is away to Altofts.

They will head into the game as favourites, with the hosts having lost both of their matches so far this season.