Sunday 27th Aug

CHAIRMANS ( TEAM DAVE XI ) Vs PRESIDENTS ( TEAM TIM XI )

Once again the Presidents Day lived upto all its true traditions - An evenly fought contest - Some excellent banter from both sides - great food - lots of beer - and plenty of runs.

The lowest part of the day was when the players took to the middle before the game for a minutes silence as a mark of respect to one of Hythe's true past legends - Brian Sexton who sadly had passed away the day prior.

Though not many of the lads knew Brian personally, Brian features in many photos around the clubhouse. And guys thanks the minutes silence was impeccable.

The game itself started 15 minutes late and I wont name names but after the skippers had tossed up Team Dave ( Guymer ) batted first. It was decided that the match was to be 2 innings a side of 25 overs.

Team Dave opened up with Tom Porter and Steve Miller and it wasn't long before Miller was throwing his toys out of his pram accusing umpire Ribery of a wrong decision after he was given out for 0.

Matt Howe joined Tibbles in the middle and continued his run form from the previous day. The paie put on 75 before Monty ( Howe ) was out for 32 caught by Bath off the bowling of Bell with the score 79 for 2.

Rich Froggett then joined the frame and waisted no tijme in spraying the ball to all boundaries in an innings of 30 which included 5 fours. 125 for 3 off 17 and then Tom Porter reached a fine fifty which included 9 fours much to the notice of Small Hands Dixon the first team skipper.

Soon after Porter was out for 52 bowled by the wizzard himself Chalky White. 129 for 4 off 18.

Team Dave then tried to up the pace with just 7 overs to go but they didn't account for 'The Machine' who had been up all night working out his tactics and they worked wondefully as wickets fell at a dramatic pace. Biggest culprits - Smith and Chiverton who l fell for quacks. Asbo Taylor 4 and Bambi 8 didn't do much better .as the machine finished with 4-26 and Team Dave finished on 161 for 9.

Team Timmy opened up with the skipper himself and Punchey Mills whose fast becoming the Oliver Read of Hythe with his all night antics. Terrible tragedy for one so young - no wonder his ears are red ( alcohol poisioning ). The opening pair meant business as team Dave had no answer to the opening onslaught. Bambi went for 21 off 2 and Froggie 21 off 3 as team Tim cruised to 62 for 0 off 8.

Bath then raced to his first ever 50 which included 9 fours and 1 six a fine example to his side. Bambi was running out of ideas and introduced ' Small Hands Dixon ' to the attack looking like someone form the primary school in his short trousers and reversed baseball cap. But it did the trick as umpire Whits triggered Bath for a fine 52. Team Tim 107 for 2 off 17. Next over 107 for 3 as Chiv bowls Chalky for 21. About time too for the past four years he's smashed me to all parts. Wrightys now in and looking good - about blooming time cause he hasn't done it all year. 116 for 4 as The Coach Driver is caught excellentally caught by Bambi whose now taking this game seriously for 4 off the bowling of Chiv.

The next 6 overs is all Wrighty - 4 fours and 3 sixes in a great knock of 51 not out and with Mr.Britas ( Kev James ) 10 not out Team Timmy finished on 180 for 4 a lead of 19 going into the second innings.

For the second innings the batting orders were reversed and the big guns were out to entertain the crowd.

With a deficit of 19 it took 4 overs for team Dave to put a score on the board and after 5 they only had 24 on the board. With Grobler bowling at good pace both Dixie and Dr .Kendrick were cautious at first. But by the 10th over the batsman were on top as the score increased to 81 for 0. 15 overs later it was 127 for 0 a lead of 108 with 10 overs to go. Kendrick continued his onslaught with 'The Guru' and Chalky taking the brunt.

Dixon reached his 50 and then Kendrick reached his 100 with an innings that included 12 fours and 6 sixes. At 173 Team Dave lost their first wicket as Dixon was bowled by Tongs for 63 ( 5 fours ) Then with the score on 204 in the 23rd over Kendricks innngs was finely over with a good catch by Grobler off Tongs for 109.

Team Dave added just 12 more runs to finish on 216 for 5 and set Team Tim 198 to win off their 25 overs. From being on a high at lunch Team Tim walked off very quietly and thought they had an uphill task ahead.

Crouchey Moore with a limp and The Machine Bowman opened up and took 9 off the first over to set the mark for a real go at the run chase. But then in the space of two overs Team Tim lost two wickets - first Monty Howe bowled his sevcond team skipper for 4 and then poor old Crouchey on one leg going for a third was run out by Belly who only wanted to run two and stayed in his crease.

15 for 2 enter 'Salad' Grobler. What pressure - the overseas player - new contract in the pipeline - already seen 50's by Wrighty and Dixon and a ton by Kendrick and told of how Burzler had creamed the bowling on presidents days in the past.

Belly also had to make ammends for that run out as Crouchey left the ground and like a true pro dug in and shared a match winning partnership with Salad Grobler.

Steve Miller bowled an excellent 5 overs for just 17 runs but then Salad and Belly took over.

The pair put on 111 in 12 overs to put Team Tim in a strong position before Bellie finally went for 44 after an excellent one handed catch by Froggie in the deep off Tom Porter.

When you got a run chase theirs no one keener between the wickets than ' The Guru'

He joined Salad and took the score to 150 before a brilliant piece of work from Tibbles Porter run out Tongs for 5. Team Tim 150 for 4 off 19 overs - now needing just 49 off 5.4 overs.

But Salad wasn't going to let this slip especially with Mr.Britas at the other end. Grobler hit Froggie for 2 more sixes, James hit Chiv for 3 fours and Team Tim were almost home needing 1 run to win off 2 overs. With Salad on 98 Kev James batted out Tinky Winky's maiden over to leave 1 needed off the final over . First ball they ran but could only make one and poor old Salad was left on 99 not out but a great knock. Kev James finished on 19 not out and Team Bath the winners by 6 wickets.

A match played in great spirit - well umpired and thanks to Whits, Buncey and Pete Stevens. Thanks also to Sue Froggett and Tonia for the lunch and teas.

Man of the Match : You decide on the poll of the week

TEAM DAVE - IST INNINGS 161 FOR 9 ( 25 Overs )

Team Tim Bowling - 1st Innings

TEAM TIM Ist INNINGS : 180 FOR 4 ( 25 Overs )

Team Dave Bowling - 1st Innings

TEAM DAVE 2nd INNINGS : 216 for 5 ( 25 Overs )

Tean Tim Bowling : 2nd Innings

TEAM TIM 2ND INNINGS : 198 FOR 4 ( 24.1 0vers )

Team Dave Bowling : 2nd Innings

Umpires : Paul Whitlock, Richie Bunce & Pete Stevens