HYTHE SUNDAY XI vs GOSPORT BOROUGH

Sunday 1st June

Youthful green caps outclassed by Southern League Gosport Borough.

A defiant half century from Sean Tongs was not enough to save a young Hythe team from defeat to Gosport Borough who fielded only one colt. Earlier Gosport had raced away before Tom Richards and Jonjo Stovell dragged Hythe back into contention.

Hythe came into the game only just managing to raise a team last minute with again barely any senior players coming forward for a game. Minus Sean Tongs the average age of the team was little over 17 years old and against a strong Gosport Borough team with 10 senior players it was always going to be tough.

Under grey skies Gosport won the toss and batted first sending out two experienced openers in Rees and Lynn. Both players quickly took to the like of Hythe pair Russell Moore and Rich Last and accelerated towards 100 with Australian Lynn hitting 45 before Jonjo Stovell had him caught by Ewan Bell.

Soon after Rees also departed, caught by Pete Stevens Jnr off the bowling of Tom Richards for 34 and the scoring slowed right down. Richards picked up another wicket with Bell taking the catch while Stevens also took a second catch this time off the bowling off Matt Howe. Stevens then got in the act himself picking up two wickets – one bowled and one caught by Moore before Last returned and bowled Blomerous for 5. Gosport finished on 172-7 with number 3 Selman contributing an unbeaten 47 to the total. Tom Richards returned the best figures for a Hythe bowler with 5-1-13-2.

In reply the green caps opened the batting with Tongs and Stovell, but it wasn’t long before wickets started to fall. Stovell, Mead and Page all fell cheaply to leave Hythe 24-3. Both Ewan Bell (13) and Matt Howe (19) supported Tongs in rebuilding the innings but runs were hard to come by on a wet surface and outfield and eventually Hythe slumped to 108-8. Still pushing for a result Sean brought up his fifty and briefly shared a 22 run partnership with Rich Last but two wickets fell within 3 balls and Hythe were all out for 130. Sean Tongs finishing unbeaten on 66.

Again the young Hythe side showed enthusiasm in the field despite the rain and early hitting and they all gained experience against top quality opposition. Unfortunately it proved too much and Gosport finished comfortable winners by 42 runs.

Innings of : GOSPORT BOROUGH 172 For 7 (40 Overs)

(Selman 47*, Lynn 45, Rees 34)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 130 All Out