Zeiderman leads the way for London Colney as they open with Holtwhites’ victory

The hosts had missed out on promotion last year so a hard game was expected and they got the first mini victory by winning the toss and putting Colney into bat.

Rick Zeiderman and debutant Alex Flett opened the batting and looked solid until the latter was bowled leaving a ball that bounced back.

Ade Fisher was in at three and with Zeiderman started to build a good base for Colney before he was caught in the 18th over.

But skipper Scott Hadley and Zeiderman put on 70-run partnership, mixing the deft touch of Zeiderman with the power of Hadley, to take control of the game.

Hadley was next to go for 29 and this was followed by a procession of wickets as Colney tried to push beyond the 200 mark.

Zeiderman finally fell in the 48th over for a well made 80 and was unlucky not to go on a get his century for which his innings deserved.

It left them on 196-9 after 50 overs, a competitive total on a slow wicket.

But Colney’s bowling got off to the worst possible start with Tim Fretter and Uzman Zaman’s first overs being wayward.

Fretter soon found his stride and with full, fast and straight bowling he dismissed the top three of Holwhites in four balls.

He then got his fourth wicket putting Holtwhites into all sorts or trouble at 24-4.

Not to be outdone Zaman got into the action with two wickets in two balls and a third in his next over.

John Pinkham came into the attack and took a wicket but it was credit to Holtwhites that they recovered from 37-8 to finish on 117.

With the hosts’ a man down in the batting order due to injury the final pair formed a steady partnership but had to survive two dropped catches in the space of six balls.

But finally Colney got the breakthrough, with Shiron Maclan getting the wicket with only his third ball.

Next week sees London Colney take on Bentley Heath where they hope to continue the fine run of form that started back last season.