TOTTON & ELING II vs HYTHE XI

Saturday 2nd May

GUTSY HYTHE GIVE EELS GOOD TEST

Rob James - 75	Wayne Effeny - 61
2nd Wicket Partnership - 129

Hythe put in a gutsy performance against their Southern League Opponents before going down by 31 runs at Southern Gardens this afternoon.

Totton & Eling batted first and made 213 for 8 off their 45 overs. Despite a 2nd wicket stand of 129 by Robbie James (75) and Wayne Effeny (61) the rest of the batting cumbled in the run chase and Hythe finished on 182 for 9.

On a pleasant day at Southern Gardens Hythe took to the field frist with two new players on debut - squaddie Rob Saunders and Marc Daniels who was making his return to the club after 8 years.Hythe also had to make a very late change when Darren Miller pulled out and James Page replaced.

Hythe got off to the perfect start taking 3 Totton wickets for just 22 runs. The first a good catch by Marc Daniels off the impressive Mike Edwards got rid of dangerman Ricky Rawlins and then Rich Froggett found his length to dismiss Metcalfe and Cheeny.

The Totton middle order then started to take control, but soon after the drinks break Hythe hit back with 3 quick wickets Marc Daniels had to bowl one over as Hythe miscaluclated the overs . That went for 15 which would have brought the scores closer.Skipper Bungay produced a quality knock (53) and Millard (25*) to take Totton upto 212 for 8 off their 45 overs.

Skipper Mike Bowman will be pleased with Hythe's performance in the field. Mike Edwards 1-33 for 9 produced a very good first spell and Wayne Effeny 2-28 off 8 showed his class at the end of the innings. The biggest plus was debut boy Rob Saunders who bowled a good spell of 1-27 off 9 and could be that final bowler Dixies looking for .

After tea Hythe took up the challenge of their 4.73 a run run chase. Against the impressive bowling of the irratating Edens and Cheeny Hythe made a pensive start and in the 4th over they lost Tongs bowled for 4. We then saw a top partnership of 129 between Robbie James and Wayne Effeny in 31 overs which kept Hythe in the game and had the home side concerned.

Both players were flagging in the heat after running several singles and with the score on 138 Effeny was finally out for a very good 61 (5x4's , 1x5). With Hythe now needing 81 off 11 overs there wasn't much time for the new batsman to play themselves in. Marc Daniels came to the crease with the expected barracking from the side he just left. (After 8 years very good service to the Totton club I was surprised he wasn't clapped in). 3 balls later he got a shocker as the Totton umpire gave him out L.B.W for 0. Then the big wicket Rob James finally out for a very good 75 (inc 8 x 4's)with the score on 160 for 4 with just 6.2 overs remaining.

The home side were back on top and once again raised their game in the field. 16 year old A.Tull bowled a fine spell of spin which Hythe probably gave too much respect too early on. As well as Wayne Effeny he took the wickets of J. Page (9), and Mike Edwards (1) as Hythe finished on 182 for 9 - 31 runs behind Totton.

But a good game played in a competitive spirit and Hythe by no means were outclassed. Had Hythe been more positive against the young spinner with 9 wickets in hand and avoided Jacks one 15 run over we probaly could have been in with a shout - but a fine performance.

Innings of : TOTTON & ELING II 213 For 8 (45 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 182 For 9 (45 Overs)

Totton & Eling Bowling