GROBLER STARS AS HYTHE BEAT LEAGUE LEADERS

Hythe & Dibden 1st XI Vs LISS

14.07.07

Hythe's push for promotion was back on course after a fine 54 run win against top of the table Liss at Jones Lane, and all of this after being inserted on a damp Hythe pitch and collapsing to 60-6.   A mixed start to the day as although Hythe welcomed back Ben Kendrick & Paul Whitlock, they lost Keith Alderman just before the start of play, so Russell Moore stepped in at the last minute to help out.

Predictably when there has been any rain about Dixy lost the toss and Hythe were asked to bat. Rob & Kev took the home side to 19 before Rob edged a lifter behind for 10, and this led to a top order wobble as Kev then ran himself out and amazingly the Skipper got ran out in the same over as Hythe slumped to 22-3, Ben Kendrick & Simon Wright took Hythe to 38 before Kendrick gloved a lifter to short leg for C. Janczur 2-37 first wicket and he followed this up by having Dave Guymer adjudged caught for just 4 as Hythe were now teetering at 42-5. Nardus Grobler came in and was positive from the start but Wright then became G. Covers 2-33 second wicket as Hythe were now 60-6.

Paul Whitlock came in and stayed around supporting Grobler who took the attack back to Liss with some excellent shots all around the park and he brought up his 50 as Hythe went past 100, at 104 Whit's edged a lifter behind but the 44 run partnership had lifted the home side and Richie Froggett was to continue the lower orders good work assisting Grobler with a 41 partnership before Nardus who had played beautifully made his one bad decision and got stumped for a magnificent 74, James Page & Russell Moore would the both fall but helped Froggett 17 not out take Hythe to 152 all out and at least a competitive total for their bowler to work with.

Liss like Hythe reached 19 without to many problems, but then the collapse started Nardus who to be fair was struggling with his line and length, encouraged Pleece jnr to cut a wide one to Whit's in the gulley and Hythe had made the big breakthrough, two balls later Cover went for a pull shot and was adjudged caught behind by Kev James and the very next ball from Nardus, H. Munt cut straight to Whit's again at gulley and Liss were 19-3 and in total shock. Liss then got to 30 before Froggett struck having P. Cross 3 caught well by Rob James in the covers and the next over Nardus picked up his fourth wicket when C. Martin 10 attempted a pull shot which lobbed to Simon Dixon who more than gleefully hung on to it (just) for his first catch in 2 years, wild celebrations ensued from the skipper.

Kendrick & Whitlock then came into the attack for Hythe and 4 maidens in a row followed before at 39 Kendrick struck for Hythe's 6th wicket a brilliant piece of stumping by Kev James and at 44 he then bowled Janczur 3. A.Ellis and J. Small decided to play some shots and with a combination of sensible batting and a bit of luck took the score up to 88 before the on song Kendrick bowled Ellis for a handy 21, and at 92 he picked up his fourth wicket bowling L. Lee, Froggett returned, replaced the tiring Whitlock and despite Small drilling a big 6 Rich had the last laugh when next ball he bowled him for a fighting 31 and Liss had tumbled to just 98 all out.   

Innings of : HYTHE 152 All Out (41Overs)

Innings of : LISS 98 All Out (29.4 Overs)

Hythe Bowling