Hampshire County Division 2

Hythe & Dibden 1st XI vs Langley Manor

30th August Played @ Jones Lane

Sponsored by : Stephenson Sheppard & Co

One Game Too Much For Hythe As Catches Go Down & Down & Down

Hythe boosted by the return of Rich Froggett, Matt Howe and Kev James were completely out played by local rivals Langley Manor in this final league game of the season. Main difference Langley held onto some very good catches notably Roy Peters (2) in the deep and J.Wilkinson who took four outfield catches. Hythe sadly put down 8 catches, 2 of them dollies and 2 good run out chances. Full praise though to skipper Si Dixon who motivated throughout and Jon Weall who took his first 5 wicket haul - but it just wasn't the Green Caps day. Hythe's season now over - finishing 8th with 7 wins and 8 losses.

Langley Manor won the toss and elected to bat first and because they were guaranteed 5th place win or lose they decided to swap their batting order around. M.Spencer who normally bats 9 opened with occasional opener. With 25 on tha board after 6 overs - Weall struck having Renders surpebly caught by Page for 7. S.Harris who normally bats 5-6 came in at 3 and scored 13 before he was second out LBW to Rich Froggett. Two more wickets soon followed J.Wilkinson bowled by Mills for 16 and P.Jerram bowled by Wright for 1. Langley Manor 78 for 4 off 20 overs. Wilkinson though was still going well and his fifty came up in the 24th over to the surprise of the Langley players. R.Noble at the other end was also getting onto rhythem thanks to the Hythe fielders.

Here's how the catches went down and a scale of 1-5 on dollie (1)or difficult (5). Whits look away now thank god you weren't playing.

Simon Wright 1, Rich Froggett 1, Matt Howe 2, Matt Howe 5, Kev James run out 2, Rob James 4, Simon Dixon 5, Rob James 4, Rich Froggett 3, Kev James run out 2.

In the meantime Noble and Spencer put on 101 for the 5th wicket in 17 overs. Noble hitting 3x6's & 4x4's in 46 before Weall returned to grab his wicket with his first ball. Langley Manor 179 for 5 off 34 overs. Spencer was next to go again bowled by Weall for 85 inc 9x4's & 1x6.

Ayub was then L.B.W to Weall for 14 Langley Manor 184 for 7 off 35. Roy Peters soon followed bowled by Weall for 6. 192 for 8. That brought A.Smith who normally bats at 3 and captain J.Brown to the crease and the pair finished off the innings with a partnership of 46 to finish on four lost balls and 263 for 8.

An injury to Matt Howe meant a shuffled Hythe batting order but they still opened with Robbie James and Si Dixon. Roy Peters dismissed Si Dixon (8) and Richard Last (0) with only 22 on the board off 7 overs. James Page promoted to four then confidently set about the visitors bowling. At 50 though Hythe lost their 3rd wicket when Rob James was caught off Renders for 26. 499 runs for Rob this season a great effort.

James Page was then caught off Renders for 29 and Kev James was next out caught off Noble for 14 - Hythe 95 for 5 and sinking fast. Ewan Bell joined Simon Wright who showed his intentions with a cracking six out the park. Bell hit two lovely fours but was then bowled for 12. Wright was then caught for 27 - Hythe 128 for 7. Rich Froggett (15), Luke Mills (8) and Matt Howe came and went and Hythe were all out for 165 with 3 overs to go.But once again some very good catches by Wilkinson and especially Peters in the deeep.

Innings of : LANGLEY MANOR 263 For 8 (45 Overs)

Hythe Bowling.

Innings of : HYTHE 165 All Out (42Overs)

( R.Peters 2-25, A.Smith 2-131)