HYTHE & DIBDEN CRICKET CLUB

REDLYNCH & HALE vs UNDER 17'S

Thursday 3rd May

The Under-17’s second win on the bounce came at the expense of Redlynch & Hale on a very troublesome wicket, a solid batting and fielding display ensuring a comfortable 58 run win in the dark.

Hythe arrived early at Redlynch and had plenty of time to assess the pitch – take note first team for Saturday’s trip - the pitch was dreadful. The overcast and humid conditions were backed by a very green and wet pitch, which would prove as unpredictable as it looked.

The toss therefore was important to win and bowl first, however Hythe lost it and were set in to bat with Skipper Moore and the returning Tom Porter to open. Thankfully for Hythe the bowling was wayward and did not make the most of the bowler friendly conditions early on, but just as Hythe settled the pitch reared its head for the first time, Porter playing a drive was caught at mid off after the ball stopped on the pitch. This brought in the experienced Matt Howe and he immediately found his stead with a flurry of boundaries and combined with sensible running between the wickets ensured Hythe were cruising at seven an over. A 35 run partnership between Howe and Moore was brought to an end when another unpredictable bounce found Howe lifting a cut to point for a smart 21. Just ten runs later and the pitch told again for a Hythe batsman, Moore top edging a pull for 10 to square leg. These days however Hythe bat further down the innings and Page 16, Last 7, Smith 6 and Powell 22 not out played some fine strokes to give Hythe a total of 114-6 off 17 overs (Redlynch over ran on time) A fine performance considering the conditions, Redlynch’s Orchard bowling well for 3-0-8-2.

Knowing the target was challenging Hythe set about settling the game with usual openers Pete Stevens Jnr and Rich Last, Immediately they struck as Stevens dismissed the opener with a short pitched delivery that bounced no more than an inch off the ground and struck the bottom of middle stump, it was Stevens who struck again moments later as he reduced Redlynch to 5 for 2 with a wicket maiden. Once more the Hythe openers setting the mark for the rest of the team, Stevens 3-1-8-2 and Last 3-0-13-0. On came Smith and Powell and with the run rate ever increasing wickets started to fall, Smith picking up the first with a catch from Last at mid wicket, before Powell’s short delivery also bouncing low and trapping the helpless batsman LBW. Smith struck again moments later when he had the dangerous Donnington caught by Moore for 25 and Redlynch were 5 down. With the innings coming to a close Hythe completed an easy victory with a run out by Stevens and a wicket for James Carse as Redlynch ended on 66 for 7.

A great team effort in the field with good performances with the ball by Stevens and Smith and with the bat from Howe, Page and Powell.

Toss Won By : Redlynch & Hale

Innings of : HYTHE 114 For 7 (17 Overs)

Innings of : REDLYNCH & HALE 66 FOR 7 (17 Overs)

Hythe Bowling