COOMBE BISSETT vs HYTHE XI

Sunday 26th April

Hythe complete comfortable win at Coombe Bissett in wet conditions.

Matt Young on his way to a match winning 31*

The Green Caps took the long journey up to Coombe Bissett for this Sunday fixture and almost regretted it when minutes from the ground rain began to fall. However, Matt Young’s superb concentration ensured Hythe returned to the waterside a victorious team.

Fortunately for both teams the weather cleared up before play was scheduled to start and it was Hythe who won the toss with skipper James Page electing to bowl on a soft pitch.

Opening for Hythe were Matt Howe and Russell Moore. The latters first delivery displaying the tough conditions when his left foot slid through the crease leaving him in a pile on the floor. Despite this Hythe took the initiative and it was Howe who took three early wickets that left Coombe Bissett on 33-3. Howe finished with figures of 6-1-22-3 and he was ably supported by Moore with 6-2-15-0.

Steve Weall then came on for his first bowl in a Hythe shirt and proved his worth by picking up a wicket on debut. However, Jonjo Stovell at the other end took most of top scorer M. Newman’s force as Coombe attempted to rebuild their innings. Unfortunately for them two quick run-outs: one from Moore and a bizarre one from Gary Howe where the batsman didn’t bother getting to his crease left the Coombe Bissett innings in tatters at 55-6.

The final bowling pair for the Green caps were Page and Luke Mills who between them only took six overs to finish the Coombe innings off. Page struck the big blow when he had top scorer Newman caught in the deep by Moore for 38 before Mills finished it off with three wickets at the death including two in two to complete the score on 96 all out. Mills had figures of 3-0-9-3.

Hythe started their reply before tea and reached the interval on 28-1 with the sole loss of Sean Tongs for 9 the only blip. After tea Matt Young resumed with number three Ewan Bell but the pair could only take the score to 35 before Bell was caught in the deep for 7. Gary Howe joined Young and hit a casual six but he too departed, leaving Hythe 50-3.

Andy Woods then came to the crease for his first action for the Green caps but could only manage one and when Steve Weall also fell cheaply, Hythe were facing another collapse on 63-5. Matt Howe joined Matt Young in the middle and they put together an important partnership - taking the score to 89 before Howe was bowled for 14.

Eventually the Green caps scraped over the line with skipper James Page at the crease but the chase was in no small part down to Matt Young who carried his bat and showed superb dedication and application for an unbeaten 31 in Hythe’s four wicket win.

Innings of : COOMBE BISSETT 96 All Out (26 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 100 For 7 (35.5 Overs)

Matt Young full of concentration	Steve Weall on debut .
Matt Howe in action	Skipper Pagey proving such a good player off his legs

Thanks to Matty Howe for the pictures