Hampshire South West Regional Division 2

BOURNEMOUTH IV's vs HYTHE & DIBDEN 2nd XI

9th May 2008

Ewan BELL 64

12 Fours - 1 Six

Bells heroics not enough to stave off defeat after ex-Hampshire star Richard Scott gets into his stride.

The Green caps made the long journey to Bournemouth on day one of the league season and found they were playing on a superb pitch with a lightning fast outfield.

Winning the toss Mike Bowman was unsure what to choose so he decided to take to the field in order to chip away a few early wickets with the new ball. It almost worked as in the first over Moore dropped a sharp return catch from Scott who proved to be the match winner.

Opening with Moore was Ian Prentice for his debut league bowl and he started equally well against the good opening pair, hardly giving away many scoring shots. After 14 overs Moore was replaced with positive figures of 7-2-27-0 by Lee Powell who struck in his first over having the opener caught behind down the leg side. Soon after Ian Prentice also grabbed a wicket leaving Bournemouth 67-2 as he finished his spell with good figures of 10-0-34-1.

Unfortunately for Hythe, Richard Scott was now in his stride and after seeing away the impressive Powell (7-0-25-1) he attacked both Tom Porter and Chalkey, the former being replaced after just two expensive overs. Scott finally reached his century and then got out for 112, stumped by Gary Howe off Chalkey but the damage had already been done as Scott survived his two dropped catches as Hythe's fielding display lost its standards. The Unfortunate thing for the green caps is this is likely to be his only appearance for them in the season because he was only playing for his sons debut.

Once he departed Hythe made inroads with Chalkey picking up another wicket while a run out from Mike Bowman and a wicket from Wayne Effeny secured the Green caps three points as Bournemouth finished on 201-6.

Although difficult this was regarded as a par score courtesy of the quick outfield. A good start was required but possibly the worst start was made. After four overs Hythe were 1-3 with Tongs, Effeny and Porter all back in the changing room for ducks. Not long after that Pete Stevens was dismissed for four leaving Hythe 10-4. Mike Bowman was then joined by Ewan Bell at the crease and the two looked to rebuild the innings but when Mike was dismissed for 18 and hopes of victory disappeared with him.

It got worse for Hythe when both Gary Howe (0) and Ian Prentice (1) departed quickly but at the other end Bell was playing a sumptuous innings having hit a huge straight six when only on ten runs. Bell and Moore then shared Hythe's biggest partnership of 30 before Moore was dismissed for 8. From then on it was the Ewan Bell show as he crashed 12 fours in his innings to help Hythe over 100 sharing a 24 partnership with Lee Powell who was then dismissed for a duck - the fifth of the Hythe innings. When Bell was finally out for 64 the Green caps had finished on 109 and suffered a heavy defeat on day one that they will hope to recover from.

Innings of : BOURNEMOUTH 201 For 6 (42 Overs)

(R.Scott Snr 112, L.Beaky 36, R.Scott Jnr 23)

Hythe Bowling

Catches - G.Howe 1 + 1 ST, M.Bowman - R/O

Innings of : HYTHE 109 All Out (36.4 Overs)

Bournemouth Bowling : R.Smith 4-15, D.Spicer 3-26, R.Linton 2-17