Firsts Eclipsed at Caribs

A depleted first team under the leadership of new skipper Ian Graham failed to open their winning account in the first game of the season in Division B at a sunny Hyson Green.

Despite having a new regime, it was same old Keyworth in terms of selection headaches and mis-communication with only 10 men taking the field despite some last minute mercy calls. What was new for this season was seeing ex-captain Rocket Rendu and ex vice-skip Bobby Baker turning up at the ground a full 45 minutes before the match - they must have forgotten to change their clocks a few weeks ago...

The Caribs won the toss and put Keyworth into bat on a rock hard track. The conditions were perfect for a bit of swing and seam and new dad Emma Dale was soon back in the hutch for a miserable fourth over duck. Ted (4) and new star No3 Bobby Baker (11) soon followed as runs were hard to come by as the opening bowler sent down 8 consecutive maidens.

Some poor communication between the ex and current skipper led to IG (22) being run out when he was just getting going. New boy Phil Drearden looked good in the nets, but a rush of blood second ball saw him fall without troubling super-scorer Shelley. Next ball Rocket (7) misjudged a long-hop and was bowled meaning poor Beaky (6) had no chance for his pre-innings fag and he scrambled to get his pads on. It took a genuine all rounder to save the Millers from a sub 50 score with Dave Strong hitting two big 6's on his way to 21.

Young Chris Soar bravely came in at No10 to face the returning opening bowler, but could not stop KCC being all out for 86 in 35 overs.

Tea was not up to 1909 standard let alone 2009.

In reply the Caribs knocked off the runs in 15 overs for the loss of 2 wickets (one each for all rounders Strong and Baker), with Keyworth being about as good in the field as they were with the bat.

A below par performance, but things should improve in the coming weeks with a full squad to pick from.