NEW FOREST CUP FINAL

Hythe & Dibden 2nd XI vs MILFORD on SEA

at Milford 30.07.07

Hythe's 26 Year Cup Wait Over As They Win Final In Last Final Over

Hythe minus Steve Miller, Chalky White and Semi Final hero Lee Powell took to the field on a sunny evening though the pitch was still damp from the weekends rain.

All the Hythe bowlers did the skipper proud showling no sign of nerves and skittling the home side out for just 81 in the 17th over. Pete Stevens jnr was the pick of the Hythe bowlers taking 3-20 and earning himself the Man of the Match award adjudicated by former Hythe player and umpire Walt Drodge. Mike Edwards was on the spot as ever taking 2-14 off 4 overs whilst Pete Stevens snr took 1-20 off 4. But Ben Smith deserves a lot of credit as well taking 2-16 off 4 when the Milford batsman were trying to up the run rate. Even the guru Sean Tongs chipped in with a wicket at the end

The Hythe batsman knew it wasn't going to be easy and so it proved. Matt Howe and Wayne Effeny were back in the pavillion with under 10 on the board and by 25 Hythe had also lost more key players in Tongs and Edwards. But a 50 run partnership in 7 overs between skipper Mike Bowman 26 and Gary Howe 16 steadied the ship before both were run out with 2 overs to go. With 4 needed off the last over it was left to Ewan Bell to hit the final runs with just 3 balls remaining and the green caps had one their first cup final in 26 years.

Mike Bowman collected the trophy from Vic Loveless just reward for his six years in charge as captain.

Hythe entered the cup competitions this year after a four year absence mainly as a mark of respect to club stalwarts Phil Pick, Brian Sexton and Jack Smith all who sadly passed away in the last year. Mike Bowman's lads certainly did them proud.

Innings of : MILFORD ON SEA 81 All Out (17 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of :HYTHE 85 FOR 6 (17.3 Overs)