Ossett 218-8

Keighley 127 all out

AFTER four wins on the trot, Keighley’s luck finally ran out as they crashed mto a 91-run home defeat against Ossett in the All Rounder Bradford Premier League Championship One.

Vice-captain Max Davidson, skippering the team in the absence of Paul Quinlan, lost the toss and Ossett decided to bat first.

A couple of early wickets from James Rogers (2-72) and Jamie Wilmhurst (2-43) saw the away team in trouble 13-2.

However, on a wicket that clearly gave advantages to the batsmen, Ossett’s middle order carefully constructed several partnerships with good knocks from Matthew Varley (38), Oliver Scott (45 not out) and most importantly Jack McGahan (67) seeing the away team to a challenging 218-8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Pick of the Keighley bowlers was overseas player Alex Antoine with 2-40 in his 15 overs.

Keighley have successfully chased down all four totals put in front of them so far this season. However, they have not had to chase in excess of 150.

And, with several key players missing their efforts to chase down the total were hampered, losing wickets at key moments.

Despite valiant efforts from Louis Horsfield (27) and Davidson (32), the Lawkholme Laners were bowled out for 127, still 91 runs short of their target and their first defeat of the season.

The loss sees Baildon overtake Keighley at the top of the Bradford Premier League Championship One; Keighley welcome Scholes to Lawkholme Lane on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the reverse fixture saw Keighley’s second-string travel to Ossett this past weekend.

The twos, which included five third-team players, batted first on what looked to be a good batting wicket after skipper Alex Towler won the toss.

Keighley’s higher and middle order tried in vain to make a stand against some excellent Ossett bowling but lost wickets at key moments when they could have gone on to make a challenging total.

Raees Hussain (18) and Towler (32) did their best, but Keighley crumbled to 103 all out in the 34th over.

In reply, Towler used several bowlers to vary the Keighley attack in an attempt to break the Ossett batsmen; but the experienced Chris Hosley was in exceptional form, scoring 63 not out and seeing the home team over the line with the loss of just one wicket in just the 19th over.

The seconds make the long journey to Carlton this weekend in an attempt to halt their losing streak.