ALDERHOLT vs HYTHE UNDER 17's
Thursday 7th May
A Lesson in the Forest For the Under 17's as Their Hit By The Local Giant.
On a damp and dull evening the newly formed Hythe Under 17's made their way across to Alderholt for their opening league fixture. Ben Smith lost the toss and the home side asked the green caps to bat first.
As i'm walking to the wicket to umpire, this guy shouts out 'all right ump' and for the first time in ages I had to look upwards - there was their wicket keeper 16 years of age and 6ft 4 at least.
Harry Smith opened the innings with Jonjo Stovell and the pair started comfortably until in the 3rd over Harry tried to go over the top and was caught for 3. Tom Richards and Jonjo kept the runs ticking over until Richards was caught also for 3.
Ben Smith and Stovell added 16 before Stovell was out for 14 - Hythe 28 for 3. Damon Lord got a 2nd ball duck but then Ben Smith and Sam Page (6) batted well together and added 24 before Page was out for 6. I should have had a tenner on Luke Blackwell getting a traditional duck. But skipper Smith kept the runs flowing - hitting the top score with 16 and with Tom Huxley and Nick Shrive showing good combination at the end Hythe finished on a decent 88 for 7 off their 18 overs.
After a nice 10 minute drinks break and mini buffet which the lads enjoyed - Hythe took to the field with hope. There to meet them was the 6ft 4 Willoughby.
Todd Powells first over went for 8 and things didn't get any better. Harry was moved out of the attack by brother Ben after 1 over of 15 runs and Ben himself went for 9. After 4 overs the home side were 56 for 0 and cruising but Hythe didn't give in with Damon Lord and Nick Shrive pulling out top stops in the field. Luke Blackwells only over went for 14 and Willoughby soon reached his 50 to retire. Next over Smith the other Alderholt opener hit the winning runs finishing on 24* and the home side had won by 10 wickets with 10 overs to spare.
Skipper Ben Smith wasn't too disappointed with the performance and felt the side had done well to get 88 on the board. With the big local derby next week against Fawley hopefully the lads aren't too downhearted. With a grass wicket next week which should help the spin bowlers, Hythe should improve.
My only comment - why put Matt Young who averages 30 on a Sunday for the seniors batting at number 10 ?
Innings of : HYTHE 88 For 7 (18 Overs)
| Batsman | How Out | Bowler | Runs |
| 1. H.Smith | Caught | Goodchild | 3 |
| 2. J.Stovell | Bowled | Brewer | 14 |
| 3. T.Richards | Caught | Spicer | 3 |
| 4. *B.Smith | Caught | Ranger | 16 |
| 5. D.Lord | Bowled | Brewer | 0 |
| 6. S.Page | Bowled | Kletta | 6 |
| 7. T.Huxley | Not | Out | 11 |
| 8. L.Blackwell | Bowled | Kletta | 0 |
| 9. N.Shrive | Not | Out | 9 |
| 10. +M.Young | |||
| 11. T.Powell | |||
| Extras - 29 | TOTAL | 88 For | 7 |
Innings of : ALDERHOLT 89 For 0 (8 Overs)
(Willoughby 50*, Smith 24*)
Hythe Bowling
| Bowler | Ov | Mn | Runs | Wkts |
| T.Powell | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| T.Richards | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| B.Smith | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| H.Smith | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| T.Huxley | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| L.Blackwell | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
RESULT : ALDERHOLT Beat HYTHE UNDER 17's by 10 Wkts |