HYTHE & DIBDEN CRICKET CLUB

UNDER 17'S vs MILFORD ON SEA

Thursday 21st June

U17's Back To Winning Ways

Hythe return to winning ways after solid batting and bowling displays, James Carse collecting a useful 3 wickets and James Page top scoring with 21 on the way to a close 5 wicket win in the rain.

Hythe won the toss and Skipper Moore decided to field after the two teams met earlier in the season and the Under 17’s restricted Milford to a low total before knocking off the runs.

Hythe opened with seam pair Pete Stevens Jnr and Rich Last and as usual they kept the opening to the innings tight with only 8 runs wielded from the first 4 overs. The first bowling change for Hythe came when James Carse replaced Stevens in search of the first wicket however one ball later and the players were off for rain, when the over was finally completed Carse provided the breakthrough Hythe were searching for; the opening batsman bowled for 6. Last then bowled out to finish with figures of 4-1-20-0 and after 8 overs the match was finely poised at 39-1. It was Hythe however who took the initiative as Carse had the other opener caught by Rich Last for 18. Into the attack came Ben Smith and immediately struck in his first over after a sharp stumping from Matt Howe. The next over Carse took his third wicket after a catch from Russell Moore and Milford started to crumble. Another stumping from Howe off Smith and a wicket from the returning Stevens, caught by Howe hindered Milford’s attempt to push the score. Despite Hythe bowling 15 wides and gifting Milford runs due to some loose fielding Hythe picked up two run outs – one off the final ball of the Russell Moore’s over to finish the innings on 87-9. James Carse with the best figures of 3-0-21-3.

Hythe started their reply but soon found Milford opening bowler N. Field to be in fine form, after 5 runs from his first over he then bowled two maidens and credit to Skipper Moore who faced 17 of his 18 deliveries and kept Hythe’s wickets in hand, Field finally finished with figures of 4-2-11-1. The first wicket fell on 15 as Porter was caught off Milford’s other opener for 7. This brought in Matt Howe to join Moore at the crease and the two started to build the score before rain once again halted play. A couple of overs after play resumed, Howe was caught at square leg for 9 leaving Hythe 51-2 off 10 overs. Then when Moore holed out for 13 it left two new batsmen James Page and Lee Powell to knock off the runs. After a short partnership Powell was dismissed for a quick 9 bringing in Richard Last to the crease with work still to be done. By the time Hythe reached the last over they needed just two to win but two dot balls later and the pressure was on. Page then went for a big shot but to the despair of the Hythe support was caught for a fine 21. With three balls remaining and two runs to win it was left to Rich Last and he duly obliged off the next ball hitting straight over the top for four in a similar manner to how the game was won earlier in the season as he finished 6* and Hythe won by 5 wickets.

Innings of : MILFORD ON SEA 87 FOR 9 (18 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 94 For 4 (16.4 Overs)