TONY WOODHOUSE TROPHY

FAWLEY SUN 2nd XI vs HYTHE SUNDAY 2nd XI

Sunday 10th August

Makeshift Hythe Force Creditable Draw

Take a look at the Hythe team before the start and you would say no chance of forcing a result, but lead superbly by Sean Tongs the Green Caps came out of the game with a creditable draw. 11 year old Ben Fenton bowled 8 overs for 42 and bowling top scorer Andy McIlhenney for 62. 15 year old Sam Page opened the bowling 0-35 (only 23 coming off his first 7) and 12 year old Josh Mead 8 overs 0-37 great effort from the young Colts.

Skipper Sean Tongs won the toss and no surprise elected to field first.

Looking round his pack of players 'The Guru' elected to open the bowling with Sam Page and Under 11 Coach J.P.Fenton who were up against against Fawleys two key playmakers Sam Cox and Alan McIlhenney. Fawley got off to a steady start scoring 23 off the first 8 overs with Fenton particularly keeping things very tight 0-4 off 4. Page (0-19) had to come off after four overs and The Guru surprisingly decided to change both bowlers bringing on 12 year old Josh Mead and 11 year old Ben Fenton.

Fawley began to excellerate through the two colts four over spells and taken their score to 58 for 0. But the next change brought instant success as Pete (Jeffrey) Stevens had Cox caught behind by Matt Young for 32. J.Willis came in at 3 and put on 48 for the second wicket with McIlhenney before falling again to Stevens ( who bowled very well ) for 13. McIlhenney brought up his 50 in the 32nd over but at 135 Fawley fell when he was bowled for 62 by 11 year old Ben Fenton.

Wickets then began to tumble at regular intervals - James Page claiming two wickets ( but he won't tell you about his 9 wides) and young Ben Fenton run out Lucas for 10 as Fawley finished on 171 for 6 just 4 runs short of full batting points.

At tea it was so disappointing to hear several of the Fawley lads throwing insults at Fawley skipper for putting colts Andrews and Lucas at 5 & 6 when they thought more experienced players should have gone in. The verbals were unjust as this is a tournament to bring on colts into adult cricket. Those four runs could have easily been achieved had McIlhenney worked harder for his fifty.

With Fawley needing a win to stand any chance of taking the trophy this year - McIlhenney opened the bowling in determined mood. His first 3 overs were all maidens whilst Matt Head at the other end went for 14 off his first 3 overs.At 26 though Hythe lost Pete Stevens jnr for 1 bowled by change bowler Kev McArthur. Sam Page soon followed with a rush of blood caught by Read off Andrews. - Hythe 27 for 2. A 75 run partnership then occured between Sean Tongs and James Page (13) which at 100 for 2 Hythe fancied their chances of a major upset. Disappointing to hear the verbals srtarted in the field again by some of the Fawley players against their own side as catches went down.

Hythe then lost Sam Page with another rush of blood and then the big wicket skipper Tongs out for a very good 79 which included 12 fours. Hythe 107 for 5 which soon became 109 for 6 Adie Page stumped ( say no more). 6 overs left could Hythe hang on Matt Young (ideal for the situation) was joined by Josh Mead who hung around for 4 overs before being caught for 0. So it was left to Matt Young (5*) and J.P.Fenton to hold out for a draw.

A great result for Hythe - not the win needed but the fact that a make shift team had performed so well and the match had introduced 3 new bowling stars of the future for Hythe - We hope

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Innings of : FAWLEY 171 For 6 (40 Overs)

(A.McIlhenney 62, S.Cox 32, J.Wills 13)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 119 For 7 (38 Overs)

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