Keighley 215 all out

Ossett 216-4

KEIGHLEY made the long trip to Ossett looking to get back to winning ways in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Championship One.

Keighley skipper Paul Quinlan win the toss and elected bat first on an excellently-prepared batting wicket.

Overseas player Alex Antoine looked in great nick as he crashed a quickfire 30 off just 25 deliveries. However, his wicket was soon followed by several others due to poor shot selection and when Richard Gould was caught for 13, the Lawkholme Laners found themselves at 89-6.

Jack Beetham and Nathan Storton, however, dug in and some sensible batting saw the pair put on 40 runs until Beetham was unfortunately caught and bowled for 22.

Storton though was not giving in without a fight and with the help of James Rogers the duo put on a further 70 until Rogers dismissal for 29.

Storton soon followed when he too was caught and bowled for a fine 63 and Keighley were finally all out in the 48th over for 215.

Ossett’s reply got off to a fabulous start as openers Oliver Newton and Chris Hosley put on an opening stand of 68 until Quinlan removed Hosley for 35.

Quinlan (2-60) struck again soon after and at 80-2, the game was swinging towards Keighley.

But Newton (67) and new partner Jack McGahan (55 not out) tore up the script and with a quickfire 36no from Joseph Finnigan saw the home team over the line with just four wickets down in the 43rd over.

The defeat leaves Keighley just above the relegation places in Championship One, they entertain Hartshead Moor, who have Yorkshire pair Tim Bresnan and Ian Wardlaw in their ranks this coming week down at Lawkholme Lane.

Meanwhile, Keighley’s second string entertained Ossett at Lawkholme knowing that a win would take them above their opposition.

Skipper Alex Towler lost the toss and was invited to bat first on a wicket with a green tinge that would help the seamers.

And so it proved as Adam Smith was removed first ball and three further wickets fell in rapid succession leaving the home side reeling on 27-4.

But sensible batting from Adam Qurban and Towler helped create a fine partnership of 52 until Qurban was bowled for 34.

But Towler kept going and with the help of Harry Barker (26no) the pair put on an unbeaten 68 taking the home side to 147 in their allotted 45 overs. Towler finished with 57no.

Ossett’s reply got off to a steady start, but once skipper Richard Fenwick was removed for 14, wickets fell on a regular basis.

Joe Hitch did his best to keep the away side on track with 39, but Ossett could not cope with Keighley’s seamers and they eventually capitulated to 133 all out, 14 runs short.

Pick of the Keighley bowling was Hrithik Patel with 3-24, able backed by Towler (2-31) and Barker (2-31).

The win lifts Keighley out of the relegation zone in Championship One, they make the long journey to East Ardsley this weekend.