Hampshire County 2

NEW MILTON II vs HYTHE XI

Saturday 16th May

BOWLERS ON TOP @ FERNHILLS BUT HYTHE MAKE IT 2 WINS IN 2

Rob James - 24	Jon Weall 3-27

Hythe made it two wins in two as they beat New Milton at Ferhills this afternoon in a low scoring game. Hythe put in a top performance in the field to back up their bowlers and bowl the home side out for just 88. Jon Weall taking 3-27 but all the bowlers did their stuff.

In reply Hythe found batting just as hard and lost 7 wickets in getting the winning runs. Rob James top scored with 24.

After all the recent rain, sunny skies greeted the Green Caps at the Ferhill Sports Ground on arrival. Skipper Simon Dixon won the crucial toss and with no surprise elected to field first. Hythe impressed from the start and the first 4 overs went for just 4 runs. In the 5th over Weall got the breakthrough with a well taken caught & bowled to remove B.Neal 4. Weall and Richie Froggett in tandum put in an excellent opening spell and after 14 overs the home side struggled to just 26 for 1.

A double change saw Dixon introduce Rob Saunders and the returning Simon Wright who hadn't even played any pre season games coming into this. But you couldn't tell and Wrighty was bang on the nail from ball one. After 18 overs New Milton had moved onto 37 for 1. Next over a mix up and James Page ran out Watts for 10. Three balls later and New Milton were 3 down - Wilson bowled by Saunders for 23. More tight overs and Saunders bowled Prodromo for 1. Wrighty gets in on the act next over having Steve Taylor caught by Matt Howe for 4 - New Milton now 44 for 5 off 26 overs.

A mini recovery of 12 then Rob Saunders run out Locke with a direct throw for 6 which had the locals screaming that it was the wrong decision. Next ball Wright bowls Waller for 0 New Milton 59 for 8. The tail enders did put up a fight before Weall returned to finish off the innings thanks to 2 well taken catches from Matt Howe and Richie Froggett. New Milton 88 all out a good team effort by the green caps with all the bowlers doing their jobs well. It was also down to somer very good fielding and Kev James behind the stumps with just 3 byes against his name - back to his impressive best.

A very nice tea and Hythe were on the chase. Rob James and Simon Wright got them off to a decent start with 26 on the board at 8 overs. Tibury came on first change and bowled Wright 3rd ball for 13. Rob James was then judged caught behind for 24 and Hythe were 44 for 2. With the bowlers on top runs were hard to find. Matt Howe cracked his bat, hit one lovely 4 with Dixies bat then was excellently caught by J.Waller for 12.

The wobble was on. Kev James 5 was run out after a mix up with Marc Daniels and Simon Dixon bowled by Tilbury for 2 - Hythe 62 for 5. Last weeks maestro with the bat came in and was positive from the start hitting Steve Taylor for 2 fours after 4 successive maidens. But with just 7 needed Froggett was well caught and bowled by Neal for 15 and the patient Marc Daniels was out for 4 at 86 for 7. With all the fielders round the bat it was left to James Page 4* and Luke Mills 2* to see Hythe to victory with 3 wickets and 11 overs remaining but boy do we make it hard work for ourselves.

Innings of : NEW MILTON II 88 All Out (38.3 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 89 For 7 (34.1 Overs)

New Milton Bowling