Iggy Gets Runs But 1sts Caught Short

First things first. A massive thank you must go to to Mick White for transforming the square that was vandalised at the end of last season - if only the team would repay your efforts with an equally impressive performance on the hallowed turf!

The firsts faced newly promoted Gedling Colliery II's who were a mix of youth and experience, and this was enough to easily beat a sorry Keyworth side that were missing half of their first choice team. This was no excuse however, as those that did play should have done far better than they did.

The umpires gave strict instructions before the match relating to sledging and the use of choice language, leaving the hosts wondering if the foul mouthed buffoon Steve Rendu would last out the rest of the days play...

Rob Baker is on temporary skipper duty until June when Geoff Tindsley returns from injury. Bobby won the toss on a glorious afternoon and put the visitors into bat. Kitch took an early wicket and the fielding side were on top at drinks (52-1 after 24ovs) despite having dropped a number of chances to make further inroads into the top order. Rocket man Rendu showed "good toes" and bowled well down the hill after his early morning ballet-based warm up appeared to do the trick. The turning point in the innings was the departure of Ian Graham in the 34th over, who, after bowling 10 overs for 24 suddenly had to leave the field to... well let's say he hoped that the toilet roll stock hadn't been depleted too much by the table tennis club over the the winter.

Fortunately Leggey was on hand to sub field, but the visitors capitalised on their wickets in hand and went on to sent 173-9 in their 48 overs with opening bat Rhys Hayes (14yrs) nearly carrying his bat on his way to a steady and patient 61. Fielding point amongst the 9 dropped catches went to Ian Kitchenson who hit the stumps 3 times, affecting one run out. Bowling point to the skipper who took 4-36 off 11.

Jean's tea set the standard as ever, and was plentiful and tasty with the warm cheesy jackets, wraps and onion Bhaji's being the highlights.

With IG in no fit state to opening the innings as planned, Dale Collison and Rob Beake were up first. But in a sorry display, the top order scores read like a batting helpline 2-8-2-8-1-0, with new boy Jamie Vickers, Andy Cowlard, Steve Rendu and Dave Strong all failing to get going. Only the buttock clenched IG made double figures as the home side were all out for 62 in 23 overs. Awful. Things can only get better.