Keighley were left hanging on the telephone waiting to see if their bid to reach the Bradford League's top flight had been successful.

They signed off the season with a comfortable win over Esholt, but knew that the result of the game between Morley and Drighlington would determine their fate.

In that game Drighlington were dismissed for 123, but they made Morley struggle all the way to their promotion place. They were reduced to 26-5, but they scraped home with eight wickets down.

Earlier Esholt had batted first against Keighley, starting with an early flurry of boundaries on a good batting track. The tempo could not be maintained by Esholt as the Keighley attack fought back bowling the home side out for a paltry 128.

The wickets were shared out with talisman Ross Towler finishing with 4-64 whereas younger brother and swing sensation Alex Towler capped a good season with a return of 3-46. The ever reliable Keighley stalwart Steve Reape chipped in with a haul of 2-19.

Despite a few blips, Keighley's reply was swift and clinical and secured victory by seven wickets.

The irrepressible batting of Richard Robinson top scored with an unbeaten 52. Australian Steven 'Nicksy' Nicholls showed what a valuable acquisition he has been for the Keighley outfit with a breezy 49 not out.

After returning early to Lawkeholme Lane they were left waiting to hear the result from Morley who finally claimed victory to take the second promotion spot behind Bradford & Bingley.

But in a league with many teams driven by money, Keighley can take comfort that their solid unit of players came within a whisker of promotion and can hopefully come back stronger next year and finally secure their place in the top flight.