TESTING PRE SEASON FOR GREEN CAPS

Hythe's Pre Seasons Fixtures Commence This Sunday Against Locksheath @ Sarisbury Green.

Over the next 3 weeks Hythe have 6 testing fixtures before the first league games begin on May 9th

New Sunday skipper James Page has already named his side for Sunday

Sunday 19th April - Locksheath vs Hythe XI @ Sarisbury Green.

Locksheath play hosts to Hythe's first fixture at probably one of the smallest grounds, on two sides, in the County - Sarisbury Green.

The ambitious County 1 club are busy working towards Club Mark and currently run 3 Saturday sides and 1 Sunday side. Their 1st XI finished 7th in County 1 last year but we've been told that Sundays game is being used for 2nd and 3rd XI players.

We did here something similar two years ago only for their Saturday game to be called off and we ended up playing a side that included mostly 1st XI players. Our problem was we had a dozen players away on Wrighty's stag weekend - even though - we managed to get a side out and the game as always the game was played in good spirit.

Hythe XI 215-8 (G.Howe 69*, T.Porter 39, G.Grobler 32) Lost to Locksheath 279-8 (D.Miller 3-50, B.Smith 2-30) by 64 Runs

Last seasons corresponding fixture was washed out but Hythe did gain a win in the Sunday Friendly clash at Hythe last May.

Hythe Sun XI 141-6 (M.Howe 29*, S.Tongs 26*, P.Stevens jnr 19, L.Mills 17) Beat Locksheath 138 all out (G.Woods 3-17, L.Powell 2-11, P.Stevens jnr 2-18) by 4 Wkts

Good luck to Pagey in his first game as the new Sunday skipper - please give him all your support and I am sure he will do well.

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Saturday 26th April - Curdridge vs Hythe XI @ Reading Lane.

Saturday week a Hythe XI will travel to Reading Room Lane to face Regional Division 1 side Curdridge for hopefully the first fixture between the sides since the 70's.

Curdridge who were promoted the previous season narrowly missed out on promotion again last year by 0.12 points to Bashley Rydal III and finishing 4th. So it will still be a testing game for the green caps. One thing that will be worth watching is the lovely slope at side of the ground and how our fielders react for a first game after their winter melt down.

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Sunday 27th April - Coombe Bissett vs Hythe XI @ Shutts Lane

Sunday week sees Pagey take his Sunday XI into Wiltshire to play Coombe Bissett and as their last seasons record shows - one of the strongest Sunday sides around. With several ex South Wilts players in the side they don't play league cricket but like to play their friendly matches competitvely.

Last season we had the last minute cancellation but 2007 saw Hythe take along a strong side (which included the James brothers, Whits, Ben Kendrick, Nardus and Froggie) and still get beat in the final over.

Hythe XI 164 all out (P.Whitlock 54, B.Kendrick 28, M.Edwards 19) Lost to Coombe Bissett 168-5 by 5 Wkts

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Bank Holiday Weekend

Saturday 2nd May vs Totton & Eling II @ Southern Gardens - 1pm

Attractive fixture as a Hythe XI take on Totton & Eling II's at Southern Gardens on the final Saturday before the first league games..

Tough fixture but we must have put in a decent effort last season to be invited back - though the relationship between the sides has always been excellent.

Hythe XI 141-9 (R.James 44, S.Tongs 28, S.Dixon 15) Lost to Totton & Eling II 156-7 (P.Whitlock 3-25, L.Mills 2-41) by 15 Runs

Graham Kinchington informs me that the Totton side will be made up of a blend of 2nd XI and 3rd XI players.

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Sunday 3rd May vs Sarisbury Athletic (Home) 2.30pm

Our First home game of the season and a chance to test the new wicket.

Our opponents are Southern League new boys Sarisbury Athletic. Congratulations to them - well deserved.

Sarisbury have two games on that day so hopefully their new aussie recruit Alex Corliss will play against Bishops Waltham at Sarisbury, allowing us to play some of the youngsters.

Last season saw Bellie's side comfortably beat our opponents though Bellie was blessed with the inclusion of several first teamers. Even then he decided to field first, protecting his impressive record as captain. Hythe Sun 1st XI 106-3 (E.Bell 53*, M.Bowman 21, M.Graham 11) Beat Sarisbury Ath 105-9 (M.Graham 3-10, R.Last 2-17) by 7 Wkts

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Monday 4th May vs Eastleigh & Otterbourne (Home) 1.30pm

Final pre season fixture and another cracker as Hythe welcome County 1 side Eastleigh & Otterbourne to Jones Lane.

Eastleigh who finished 10th in County 1 last season - plan to use the fixture as a first team warm up game for the new season - so a tough test and all you league players out there - make yourself available.

Unfortunately the weather put paid to last seasons fixture.

So There You Have It - A Challenging Pre Season

To Help You Get You In Nick

Good Luck This Weekend