Keighley Cricket Club is preparing for a bumper season, with new players joining the Lawkholme club in a push for promotion.

At last week's annual meeting members were told that the club had shown a dramatic improvement since coming close to closing down only two years ago.

Since then their faith in young players had paid dividends, and they had come close to promotion last season. This time David Jacques was returning to the club after a spell with Bradford and Bingley and would captain the 1st XI. A 24-year-old Australian, Justin Ferguson, was also going to join the team after a successful season in the South Melbourne Competition.

Keighley player Ross Towler has also spent the winter in Australia and recently faced Merv Hughes.

The club is to launch the season with a sportsman's dinner at the Three Sisters Hotel, Haworth, on April 5. Club patron Freddie Trueman OBE will be speaker.

Tickets are available from the club on 01535-605075.

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