HYTHE SUNDAY XI VS FAWLEY II

Sunday 13th August

Toss : Won by Hythe

HYTHE SUNDAY XI SINK TO LOWEST PERFORMNCE IN YEARS.

A very poor batting performance plus some good tight bowling by Fawley surprised Hythe into their worst batting performance for several years as they tumbled to 76 all out. Things could have been a lot worse but for a 45 10th wicket partnership between Steve Miller 33 not out and Steve Chiverton 14.

Hythe fielded a side consisting of 1 first team player from yesterday and 7 second eleven players obviously still suffering from yesterdays league defeat against a Fawley side made up mostly of Sunday players and a few colts.

Richie Bunce won the toss and decided to bat, obviously fancying his chances of gaining a much needed win over their waterside opponents as the only team to do so this year to date is the Under 11's in seven attempts.

But this Fawley side is much improved to what we have seen in recent years and they bowled on the correct length right from the off.

For the first five overs everything was going ok for Hythe with Alan Taylor and Ian White going steady but with no concerns. Then Taylor as he does so often has a rush of blood and runs an unneccessary single to be run out with a direct hit from Guilliom for 2.

Next over and White was out for 5 caught in the gully. Hythe 12 for 2. Next over and a double blow first Bell was clean bowled by Ian McElhenny for 3 and next ball skipper Richie Bunce got a corker that lifted and he was caught by Read in the gully.Hythe 15 for 4 off 7 overs.

Could it get any worse - answer yes next over 15 year old Ben Bolton claimed his second wicket as Page was caught at point for 1. Hythe 18 for 5.

McElhenny came off after 4 overs with figures of 2-5. Guilliom came on from the bottom end and got straight into a good lenght. Next over another wicket young Bolton again bowling Tim Bath for 3 and finishing with excellent figures of 3-12 off 5.

Was the Guru going to get us out of trouble like so many times before answer - no. Guilliom has him caught for 7 with a cracking ball. Hythe 27 for 7 and sinking fast. Just as things couldn't get any worse Lawrence Read comes on from the top end and everyone knows he's still a very decent bowler. Fourth ball he's too good for Punchey and Mills is caught and bowled for another duck. 29 for 8. First ball next over and Mike Bowmans bad weekend continues bowled by Guilliom for a duck. Hythe 31 for 9 and heading for a colts score.

Last pair in and Chiverton joins Steve Miller at the crease. Fortunately the next ten overs fail to deliver a wicket . Good job as Tonia hasn't even arrived with the teas as its only 3.30. Steve Miller looked in good nick as he hit 6 fours whilst Chiverton hit 2. But with the score on 76 Chiverton lost concentration and was bowled by Dean Head for 14 leaving Steve Miller stranded on 33 not out.

All credit to Fawley who bowled very well but for the guys representing Hythe we were a disgrace.

Fawley came out to bat with 40 minutes to tea. Hythe opened up to everyones surprise with Steve Miller and Mike Bowman except for the skipper that is who was obviously trying to concrete his place next Saturday.

Wicket keeper Sean Tongs was having a nightmare behind the stumps trying to stop the leg side bowling of Steve Miller who averages over 39 with the ball on Sunday. Hence why we couldn't understand with so little runs to play with the choice of bowling.

The Fawley openers were going well - three chances went down as they hit their way to 48 before they lost their first wicket Smith being caught at slip by Chiverton off Bowman. That brought Matt Shepherd to the crease who had already scored plenty of runs against Hythe this year. Mills came on from the top end and his first three overs went for just 1 run with a lot of spin evitable. Tea and Fawley 53 for 1.

Tim Bath replaced Bowman from the bottom end and with his third ball he had Datra well caught in the covers by Chalky White. Fawley 63 for 2. Three overs later and double boundaries from Shepherd off Mills and Fawley had won by 8 wickets. Shepherd finishing on 25 not out with Clarke 0 not out.

All credit to Fawley who prior to this had only win two games all season ( 1 to us ) but this defeat has to go down as one of the worse defeats by a Hythe side this century.

Innings of : HYTHE 76 All Out ( 23 Overs )

Innings of : FAWLEY II 77 FOR 2 ( 18 Overs )

Hythe Bowling