Keighley'S promotion hopes looked to have slipped away as rain denied them the chance of pulling off a vital victory over Salts last weekend.

After torrential rain on Friday they endured the frustration of sitting out the day in glorious sunshine and hoped the sodden outfield would dry quickly enough for them to get in a game.

But eventually they were forced to admit defeat and the game was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

"It was very frustrating, because the team hoped to get in a game right until the last minute.

"The umpires and teams were ready to play, and the wicket itself was playable but the outfield was just too wet to play," said club secretary Mike Parker.

While Keighley had to be content with one point from the abandoned fixture their rivals at the top of the table were piling on the points.

Top club Idle didn't have to worry about the weather as it was their blank week and second placed Gomersal took advantage to pick up six points from their eight-wicket win over Brighouse.

The Lawkholme Lane side are stuck in fifth spot but hope tomorrow's game against strugglers Windhill could get them on the move again up the table.

"We still have seven games to go so there is still a chance that we can move up the table," Parker said.

The club's hopes of glory in the Heavy Woollen Cup were also put on hold after weather forced the game to be called off on Sunday morning.

The Liversedge ground had been playable on Saturday with the home club getting a start in their game, but rain later in the day put a big question mark over the game.

"Officials of the competition visited the ground early on Sunday morning and it was still unfit for play. Fortunately they were able to give us enough time to cancel the coach we had booked to take the team and spectators," added Parker.

The match will now be played on September 1.

P W 4 T 1 L Pt

Idle 15 12 1 0 0 2 76

Gomersal 17 10 2 0 3 2 71

Mirfield 14 10 0 0 3 1 63

Bfd & Bing 16 8 2 0 3 3 59

Keighley 15 7 2 0 3 3 53

Bankfoot 16 8 1 0 0 7 52

Salts 16 6 3 0 2 5 50

Saltaire 15 6 2 0 0 7 44

Morley 15 5 3 0 1 6 43

Esholt 16 6 0 1 2 7 41

Brighouse 16 6 0 0 2 8 38

Hartshead M 16 3 3 1 2 7 35

Drighlington 16 5 0 0 2 9 32

Manning' Mills 15 4 0 0 1 10 25

Windhill 17 3 0 0 4 10 22

Great Horton 15 3 0 0 4 8 22

Bowling OL 16 3 0 0 3 10 21