5th August 2006
HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL DIV 3
( SOUTH WEST )
HYTHE 2nd XI Vs VERWOOD
Bell Sees Hythe Home In Nailbiter To Keep Promotion Hopes Alive
With all the top batsman back in the pavilion it was left to Ewan Bell 53* with the help of Richie Bunce 24 to see Hythe to victory over their promotion rivals Verwood. In a nailbiter of a game Hythe got home by 2 wickets with 3 overs remaining.
Reg South West League Table After Win
| Team | Play | W | Tie | L | Ba Pt | Bw Pt | Pen | Tot | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAe Systems | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 61 | 0 | 296 | 22.77 |
| Bournemouth III | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 70 | 50 | 0 | 240 | 20.00 |
| Verwood | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 63 | 54 | 0 | 225 | 18.75 |
| Bashley (Rydal) IV | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 44 | 0 | 198 | 18.00 |
| Hythe & Dibden II | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 42 | 0 | 198 | 18.00 |
Toss Won by : Verwood
Verwood won the toss and elected to bat first.
A good opening spell by Richie Bunce 3-44 off 12 and Tim Bath 1-43 off 9, supported by some good fielding restricted Verwood early on. It was only in their latter overs that both bowlers suffered as Verwood increased the pace.
Pete Stevens surprisingly came on first change from the bottom end and it proved a master stroke by Mike Bowman as Stevens went for just 26 off 9 overs and claimed 2 wickets in the meantime.
Wayne Effeny replaced Bunce from the top end at a time when Verwood tried to increase the pace. Good catches from Bell, Gary and Matt Howe and Pete Stevens added pressure on Verwood plus a great throw from Russell Moore in the deep added a run out. Verwood were restricted to 167 for 8 off their 42 overs a score that beofe the game Mike Bowman would certainly settle for.
Verwood hit back immeadiately as Driscoll caught & bowled Matt Howe for 0 and at 42 Hythe lost their second wicket when Wayne Effeny was bowled by Mitchell for 10.
Mike Bowman 15 again got started before being caught behind and a big breakthrough for Verwood was when the reliable Sean Tong was bowled by Gajic for 26.
Gary Howe was next out bowled for 9 and Hythe had lost their top five batsman with 70 still required.
Tension was the word as all the top guys walked around thinking if only. What made matters worse was the indecisivness going on between Bunce and Bell in the middle. But despite the strange running between the wickets they also played some good shots. The pair put together a decisive stand of 57 before Richie Bunce was bowled by Salmon for an important.
With Bell at the other end looking in total contol ( despite everyone saying his argos bat had no middle ) Hythe were still slight favourites but then a double blow as Russell Moore 1 and Tim Bath went in successive balls and Hythe were 162 for 8.
With 7 still required Pete Stevens sprinted a 3 before hitting the winning runs for 4. Ewan Bell finished on 53 not out and what a crucial innings that could be come the end of the season.
Wayne Effeny summed it up when he stated that it was nice to play in a team that everyone contributes.
Innings of : VERWOOD 167 For 8 ( 42 Overs )
Hythe Bowling
| Bowler | Ov | Mn | Runs | Wkt |
| T.Bath | 9 | 1 | 43 | 1 |
| R.Bunce | 12 | 1 | 44 | 3 |
| P.Stevens | 9 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| I.White | 3 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| W.Effeny | 9 | 1 | 37 | 0 |
Innings of : HYTHE 168 For 8
| Batsman | How Out | Bowlers | Runs |
| 1. S.Tongs | Bowled | Gajic | 26 |
| 2. M.Howe | Caught | Driscoll | 0 |
| 3. W.Effeny | Bowled | Mitchell | 10 |
| 4. *M.Bowman | Caught | Gajic | 15 |
| 5. E.Bell | Not | Out | 53 |
| 6. +G.Howe | Bowled | Gajic | 9 |
| 7. R.Bunce | Bowled | Salmon | 24 |
| 8. R.Moore | Bowled | Salmon | 1 |
| 9. T.Bath | Bowled | Salmon | 0 |
| 10. P.Stevens | Not | Out | 4 |
| 11. I.White | |||
| Extras 26 | TOTAL | 168 For | 8 |
| Result: Hythe Won by 2 Wickets |