FORMER Yorkshire and Hampshire cricket Peter Hartley has signed for Keighley Cricket Club as they prepare for a bumper season.

The ex-county star only expects to play a handful of games for his old club but heads a list of players who should turn round last year's disappointing performance.

Richard Robinson, who was helped Baildon to second place in Division One last season, returns to captain the Lawkholme side. Last term he scored 681 runs, including a highest score of 115, and is expected to be a formidable figure in Keighley's bid for promotion from the second division of the Bradford League.

Australian Joel Crouch, the leg-spinner/batsman from Melbourne, returned to Keighley last week for a further season with the club.

Others joining the line-up include Mark Beckett, who was formerly with Oakworth and spent last season with Salts, and Paul Wilkinson who scored 645 runs for Long Lee in the Craven League last year.

They face a tough start to the season with two away games this weekend. On Saturday they take on newly-relegated Brighouse in the league and on Sunday are also away in the first round of the Heavy Woollen Cup.

The Second XI are at home to Esholt tomorrow and the club is also running youth teams at Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 level. "We would like to hear from any parents who would like their children to take up the sport," said club secretary Michael Parker.

Last year's Craven League champions will be hoping to get their campaign off to a flying start against Lancashire side Barrowford while Long Lee travel to Foulridge and Bradley are at Pendle Forest. Cowling are at home to Skipton CI and Cullingworth entertain Haworth.

Bradford Central League champions Thornton are at home to Clayton while in the lower divisions Oxenhope, Crossflatts and Riddlesden all have home games with Cross Roads travelling to Hepworth/Idle.

Keighley Cricket Acadamy coaches Safraz Quresh and Abid Hussain welcomed Salley Collins of the Keighley SRB, to a presentation of awards, to members who over a ten week winter coahing course perfected fielding, batting and catching skills.