Posted: August 19, 2006

Keighley's hopes of avoiding an immediate return to Division Two were dealt another body blow when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Saltaire in the only Division One game which wasn't abandoned because of rain.

The result means they are now 31 points adrift of safety with only five games to go and the last of those matches is against third from bottom Cleckheaton.

Keighley once again failed to make enough runs. They made 136 for five in 31 overs with Paul Spragg top-scoring with 32. Mansa Khan was the pick of the Saltaire bowlers with three for 40.

Saltaire sped to their victory target in 25.3 overs with opener Gharib Razak back to his attacking best with a fine knock of 63 which contained a six and four fours. Safaaraz Mahomed (30no) and Gulsheraz Ahmed (26no) completed the job of steering their side to a win which lifts them into fifth place.

Morley, who had won their previous two games, remain in the second relegation spot after their match with Cleckheaton - the team 14 points above them at the start of play - was washed out after 31.2 overs play.

In that time Cleckheaton made 115 for three with overseas Khurram Shehzad hitting an unbeaten 60 and Mark Gill making 42. Shehzad struck a six and ten fours and looked full of attacking intent.

Nathan Bromby picked up all three wickets to fall in 11 accurate overs which earned him figures of three for 27.

The other key game in the division, the first v third clash between Woodlands and Pudsey St Lawrence saw just21 overs of play, but in that time St Lawrence had plunged to 45 for five with Yorkshire all-rounder Richard Pyrah taking three for one.

Woodlands collected four points for their abbreviated afternoon's work and that was the same reward second-placed Pudsey Congs managed from their abandoned game with Farsley. They had their visitors struggling on 72 for four when play was halted. It means the gap at the top remains 28 points.

Brighouse had reached 60 for two in 17 overs at East Bierley, while Idle were 60 for three in 16 overs when the respective matches were abandoned. The match between Baildon and Bradford & Bingley was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

That was also the case in the Division Two game between second-placed Manningham Mills and Gomersal. Play was possible in all the other matches but none of them reached a conclusion.

Manningham Mills are now just a point ahead of Spen Victoria who picked up a valuable bowling point in the few overs that were possible in their game with Great Horton. The visitors were 56 for two when rain forced the abandonment.

Leaders Bowling Old Lane look favourites for the title with three games to go. They were 75 for three against Bankfoot when their match was halted after 19 overs. Skipper Tahir Khan made 31.

Undercliffe were again thwarted by the weather. They had Windhill struggling at 29 for three when the end came.

Esholt's fading promotion hopes suffered another setback. Skipper Richard Whitehurst blast three sixes and ten fours in a rapid 67as Esholt made 97 for three in the 18 overs play that was possible.

The consistent Lightcliffe batsman Jonathan Wilson was 44 not out out of Lightcliffe's score of 81 for two when their game at Hartshead Moor was abandoned.