KEIGHLEY’S first eleven made the journey to Gomersal in the Bradford League and moved out of the Division One relegation zone with a fine 38-run win.
They were looking to build on the morale boosting win at home to Pudsey Congs the previous week and after being invited to bat first, Keighley’s opening pair of Luke Chapman and Ryan Ridehalgh gelled once again, putting on 62 for the first wicket.
Ridehalgh departed for a quick 44 after being caught in the deep, while several batsmen, including Chapman (28), skipper Max Davidson (28) and Ben Helmsley (21) all got starts.
But they were eclipsed by a magnificent 72 from only 60 deliveries from veteran Paul Quinlan, who bludgeoned seven sixes and three fours to take his team to 238-8 at the interval.
Keighley’s bowlers all found a good line and length in Gomersal's reply, which was backed up a much-improved fielding performance, and wickets fell at regular intervals.
Despite a 50 from Liam Fletcher and 42 from Jonathan Boynton, the home team were always behind the run rate and were eventually bowled out for 200 with four overs remaining.
Pick of the bowlers was Dillon Birkett with 4-50, with Quinlan chipping in with 3-56.
With Keighley now out of the relegation places, they have a huge game at Lawkholme this Saturday against fellow strugglers Hartshead Moor.
But there was yet more struggle for the very young seconds.
They entertained Great Preston down at Lawkholme and reduced their opponents to 15-2.
But the visitors roared back and smashed the young attack to all parts of the ground to close on 277-9.
Pick of the Keighley bowlers was young leg spinner Louie Wilkinson, who finished with 5-72.
Refusing to lay down, Keighley’s batters set about the big chase in earnest and led by keeper Adam Qurban (73) they had a real go at the Great Preston attack, something they have not managed to do in previous weeks.
And with Wilkinson chipping in with 54 not out, the home team batted their allotted overs out, scoring 205-8.
Despite the loss they picked up eight points in their fight to try and avoid relegation; they make the long journey to Methley this coming weekend.
Elsewhere in the Bradford League, Josh Brooksbank and Mohammad Shahnawaz have been key figures in Crossflatts’ charge to the top of Division Three and they were in top form in their side’s latest win against Gildersome & Farnley Hill.
Opener Brooksbank made an unbeaten 97 and Shahnawaz a rapid 58 from just 31 balls, with the pair adding 104 for the sixth wicket as Crossflatts made 255-8.
Shahnawaz followed up his batting exploits by taking 5-41, as he and Mayank Singh (5-32) combined to bowl out Gildersome & Farnley Hill for 74.
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