HYTHE SUNDAY XI vs ZOMBIES

Sunday 24th May

Zombies (Havant) Prove Too Strong

Probably not the right time to play a strong Zombies side when you have to field two Sunday sides but in amatch with over 430 runs scored Hythe put in a decent effort before going down by 28 Runs

Stand-in skipper Ewan Bell won the toss and elected to field first in a game that at one stage looked like it might have to be called off due to overnight rain. Twelve good overs from the opening bowling partnership of Pete Stevens junior (1-42) and Greg Woods (2-22) were largely responsible for helping to restrict the opponents to just 61 runs by the drinks break halfway through their innings, but from that point the Zombies' middle order batsmen looked to accelerate the run-rate and plundered nearly 170 runs off their remaining twenty overs. Despite using eight bowlers in a bid to stem the flow of runs, Hythe were unable to reign in the free-scoring batsmen and the Zombies total from their 40 overs of 230-7 looked to be a good score on a slow pitch.

The home side made a solid start as they set about their run chase after tea, with Jon Weall and James Page making 22 and 15 respectively before both being caught out looking to increase the scoring rate. Matt Stark (5) and later Paul Whitlock (14) followed them back to the pavilion as Hythe's innings looked to be disintegrating. However, a resolute 5th wicket partnership from first team players Rob James and Richie Froggett pulled Hythe back into the reckoning before Froggett was dismissed for a well made 35.

The green caps then lost Matt Howe and Bell cheaply before Luke Mills joined the impressive James at the crease. By this stage the rising run rate had Hythe's batsmen under pressure, and James was run out for 76 to leave Hythe ultimately eight wickets down and 29 runs short of their victory target.

Innings of : ZOMBIES 230 For 7 (40 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 202 For 8 (40 Overs)