Keighley continue relentless march to Second Division title

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Monday 27th Jun 2005.

Richard Whitehurst has no doubts, Keighley are "streets ahead of everyone else in the Second Division".

The Esholt captain was on the receiving end of Keighley's power with a crushing 146-run home defeat against league leaders as the Lawkholme Lane side continued their seemingly unstoppable march towards the First Division.

They missed out in third place last season, but it seems that no one can stop them this time.

"Keighley are by far the strongest side in the Second Division," said Whitehurst.

"Normally a total of 216 for nine would be a very beatable score at Esholt, but we have struggled to knock off 150 this season and we knew it would be a struggle against Keighley's attack.

"We lost some early wickets, the other batsmen lacked confidence and we were all out for 70. It was a very one-sided game.

"Other than Keighley and possibly Brighouse there is no consistency in the Second Division. The only certainty is that these guys are going to win it.

"They have four bowlers - their overseas player Nick Austin, Ross Towler, Richard Robinson and captain Steven Reape - who would be able to play in a First Division side.

"You can see they are a side who are full of confidence and they have a great team spirit."

The match was over as a contest after Keighley reduced Esholt to 33 for seven. The early batsmen had no answer to the hostile Ross Towler, who took the first five wickets and finished with six for 38.

His opening partner, overseas left-arm paceman Nick Austin from Melbourne, didn't take a wicket in this match, but he proved to be a perfect foil for the admirable Towler with an accurate spell of only ten runs in 12 overs before Reape joined the attack to take for three for 15, leaving Robinson to wrap up the innings with 11.1 overs left.

The fact that No 11 batsman Ben Lister was top scorer with 12 not out spoke volumes about Esholt's miserable effort.

Keighley's innings was steady rather than spectacular, but solid contributions from Robinson (43) Lee Gordon (34), Robert Hopkinson (32) and Austin (30) enabled the visitors to top the 200 mark, which was more than enough to beat an out of form Esholt side, who have now lost three matches in a row.

Reape said: "We are delighted to stay unbeaten. Our two opening bowlers work as a team. I think if you have a quick bowler in the Second Division he will get you out of it, but we have two in Nick Austin and Ross Towler and Nick is a good all-rounder. He came as a bowler and his batting has been a bonus.

"We are all local lads, we get on well together, no one gets paid, we have a wonderful team spirit and it is our aim to get back into the First Division."

Perhaps the only bright spot for Esholt was the form of 16-year-old off-spinner James Finch, who joined the club this season from Guiseley to gain regular first-team cricket.

He bowls a good line and turns the ball and was rewarded with five for 61 in 16 overs, including the prized wicket of Robinson, who was deceived by a full toss.

Finch, who has already had two six-wicket hauls for Esholt, plays for Yorkshire Schools and Bradford League's Joe Lumb and White Rose sides. He has also played for Yorkshire Academy and spent the morning of this match bowling at the England players at Headingley in preparation for the one-day game against Bangladesh.

He looks to have a bright future and Whithurst said: "He has probably been the plus point of the season."

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