Hampshire County 2

OLD BASING vs HYTHE 1st XI

Saturday 13th June

Willcock's Quality Knock Too Good For A Jaded Hythe

The news that Nardus could return for 6 weeks can't come soon enough as a jaded and injury packed Hythe side were smashed all over the park by Old Basing's Willcock brothers on Saturday. After Jon Weall had the home side 13 for 2 Richard Willcock smashed 184 not out including 27 fours and 6 sixes.

Hythe turned up at the Old Basing recreation ground to find the home side having a good half hours work out before the game. After winning the toss skipper Si Dixon elected to put the home side into bat. The decision looked a good one as after 9 overs Old Basing were 13 for 2 after Weall had Cooper hit his own wicket off his helmet and Huntingdon was excellently caught by James Page for 2.

That brought the Willcocks brothers together and after a steady start by them Hythe were in a strong positin as the home side were only 69 for 2 off 20 overs at drinks. Jon Weall finished his 10 overs for a very respectable 2-25 whilst the injured Rich Froggett's first spell of 8 overs went for just 20. From then on it was demolition as the brothers put on 113 for the 3rd wicket before N.Willcock was out for 47 - well caught by Harry Smith off Mike Edwards. A good knock but the disappointing thing was the lack of respect and tantrum the player and dad (the coach) had for their scorer afterwards because the player thought he had reached 50.

Timms then joined N.Willcock and they put on 57 in 6 overs before Timms was out for 23 bowled by Edwards. N.Willcock brought up his ton in 33 over and with D.Turner added 70 in 5 overs before Turner was out caught by Matt Howe for 26. M.Donaldson 11* now joined the rampant Willcock 184* to put on an unbeaten 75 in the last 5 overs to take the score to 325 for 5. The last 20 overs going for 231 as a knackered Hythe eleven walked off the pitch.

Looking to take some credit out of the game with the bat - Hythe had another problem in that Matt Howe had hurt his hand in the field.

Hythe for off to their best start of the season as Robbie James and Simon Dixon put on 82 for the first wicket before James was out for 45. Dixon then required a runner (probably so did the next 4 batsman) and he and Kev James took the score to over a 100 before James was caught in the slips for 8. Dixon soon followed - out for 42 bowled by Cooper - Hythe 110 for 3 off 20 overs.

That brought in Marc Daniels to join Richie Froggett and the pair added 35 for the 4th wicket before the hobbling Froggett was out for 34. Page went soon after for a duck followed by Saunders (1) crazily promoted above Mike Edwards. Marc Daniels (15) followed bowled by G.Donaldson - Hythe 169 for 7 off 32 overs.

Thankfully Mike Edwards 39* and Jon Weall 32* added an unbeaten 70 for the 8th wicket to take the score to a more respectable 239 for 7 at the close.

After a good start to the season Hythe have now sufferd their 4th defeat in succession and with the injuries mounting up lets get Nardy registered as quickly before were in a relegation fight.

As for the 184 by Willcock today - probably one of the best innings I have seen - giving hardly any chances and some lovely stroke play.

Innings of : OLD BASING 325 For5 (45 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 239 For 7 (45 Overs)