East Bierley 163 all out

Keighley 212 all out

KEIGHLEY were knocked off the top of the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship One following a 42-run defeat to East Bierley.

Winning the toss, Keighley captain Paul Quinlan invited the opposition to bat first.

East Bierley, in no form themselves, stuttered from start to finish as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Ompal Boken was the only batsmen to offer any resistance with a fine 55 from just 51 deliveries as the away side were bowled out for just 163 in the 43rd over.

Pick of the Keighley bowlers was 19-year-old James Rogers, who is making his mark this season with an excellent 5-34, thanks to good line and length bowling.

Keighley, boosted with the returning Richard Gould, were more than fancied to knock the score off with ease.

However, poor shot selection and bad luck saw wickets falling at regular intervals and, when Gould was caught for 38, the Lawkholme Laners were struggling at 47-4 with Umar Farooq (5-58) doing the greatest damage.

In-form Jonny Wilkinson did his best to hold the tail together but he was the last man out, for a sturdy 51, as the home side capitulated for just 121, defeated by 42 runs.

Keighley host in-form Bankfoot at Lawkholme on Saturday.

Keighley’s second string travelled to Farsley last weekend looking to build on their encouraging win the week before.

Farsley won the toss and decided to bat first on what was truly a batter’s paradise pitch.

Two early wickets compliments of Dillon Birkett left the hosts on 17-2; however, this brought to the crease Jack Rowett and Mohammad Atif, who put on a magnificent 171 third-wicket partnership until Birkett removed Atif for 79.

Rowett went on to make his century as the home side posted a commanding 230 in their 45 overs. Birkett finished with 4-45.

Keighley’s main issues this season have stemmed from their batting and this proved to be their Achilles heel once more. Jack Beetham (23), Owen Narey (21) and Birkett (10) were the only players in double figures as the away stumbled to just 86 all out.

The defeat leaves the seconds next to bottom and in need of a good run of results. They travel to Bankfoot this coming weekend.