KEIGHLEY Cricket Club have endured a difficult few years, but Saturday proved to be a day of relieved celebrations at Lawkholme Lane, as they escaped the drop by the barest of margins.

They had a 13-point lead over relegation rivals Heckmondwike & Carlinghow going into the final day of the Bradford Premier League Division Two season, meaning their chances of survival looked strong.

But Heckmondwike finished the campaign in style, crushing rock-bottom Hopton Mills by 183 runs to claim a maximum haul.

That meant Keighley had to get eight points to stay up in their home game against Northowram Fields, and the outlook was bleak when the visitors, batting first, raced to 234-1 with seven overs to go.

But while Ryan Ridehalgh was expensive, he took absolutely crucial late wickets, finishing with 4-49 from his five overs, as Fields closed on 264-6.

Those six wickets wrapped up three bowling points for Keighley, meaning they had to make 225 in their reply.

That total would give them the maximum five batting points available, and take them to the eight needed overall for survival.

But the Lawkholme Laners made a catastrophic start to their reply, slipping to 32-5.

A fine middle order recovery from Andrew Dobson (68), Lucas Keslinke (43) and skipper Simon Bailey (33) inched Keighley towards that magic figure of 225, but when the latter was dismissed, they were 207-8 needing Nos.9, 10 and 11 to save them.

But James Dobson (17no) and Dillon Birkett (8) put on a crucial 23 for the ninth wicket to drag the hosts to safety, before they were eventually bowled out for 240.

The 24-run defeat was ultimately academic, as Keighley secured their survival, with a heartbroken Heckmondwike side going down alongside Hopton Mills instead.

And there were huge celebrations for the side that ply their trade three miles away too.

Crossflatts were not at their Ryshworth Park ground on the final day, instead travelling to Gomersal knowing the winner would claim the Division Two title.

The hosts batted first, but were troubled by Nadeem Safdar (3-14) early on as they slid to 27-4.

Gomersal hit back to score 179, and while skipper Dom Bennett (40) and Jacob Stephens (30) batted well in the reply, Flatts were in serious trouble at 94-6 and 152-8.

But overseas ace Sanjula Bandara proved the hero, as he held his nerve to score 58 not out, seeing the visitors to a two-wicket win and the title.

Gomersal were therefore left sweating, knowing a Hunslet Nelson win at Lightcliffe would see them miss out on promotion altogether.

But the hosts won that game by 75 runs, meaning a relieved Gomersal could celebrate promotion alongside Crossflatts on a jubilant early evening at Oxford Road.