Hants Reg South West 2 

HYTHE 2ND XI vs CADNAM 2ND XI

Saturday 8th May

TONGS IN A HURRY AS HYTHE 2NDS WIN OPENER

Sean TONGS 86*

A Sean Tongs half-century saw Hythe and Dibden 2^nd XI record an opening day win in the league against Cadnam 3^rd XI. His 86* from 89 balls saw Hythe home with overs to spare on a very wet day at Jones’ Lane. Earlier, the Green Caps bowling attack had reduced the visitors to 149 all out with Russell Moore (3), Mike Edwards and Richard Last (2) and Wayne Effeny (1) sharing the wickets.

With persistent rain falling over the course of the day it was a surprise the game was played. However, Hythe began on the right foot when Captain Mike Bowman won an important toss and inserted the opposition in order to get first use out of the new ball.

His opening bowlers were not to disappoint. Russell Moore began well with the dismissal of both of Cadnam’s opening bats while Mike Edwards made later inroads in his spell to reduce the visitors to 48-4. Very quickly the conditions started to dictate play with the sodden outfield making the ball difficult to handle as a couple of dropped chances and loose deliveries crept in.

Wayne Effeny and Ian Prentice then replaced Moore and Edwards and kept the pressure on the visitors. Firstly, Effeny struck following a good catch from Richard Last before Tom Porter ran out Wright-Green for 27 with some excellent fielding. Although Cadnam had fallen to 62-6, 12 year-old L Evans on debut came to the crease and made batting look much simpler.

When he was eventually bowled by Last he had contributed 46 and helped his side recover to 139-8. Soon after, the returning Moore joined Last in the attack and both picked up another wicket to secure maximum bowling points for the Green Caps.

In reply, Hythe began with the same opening pair that impressed against Bramshaw pre-season. The experienced Sean Tongs joined by the youthful Matt Young at the crease. Things began well for Hythe as the slippery conditions meant Cadnam’s bowlers struggled with accuracy and were punished by conceding early extras and the full face of Tongs’ bat.

Tongs reached his half century off exactly 50 balls as the opening partnership was worth 82. However, when Young fell to Cadnam’s leg-spinner it would prove the only break-through the visitors would create.

Effeny joined Tongs to finish off the game and the experience of both shone through as they punished the forlorn Cadnam attack. In the end the visitors were grateful to be getting out of the cold and damp conditions and back to the clubhouse. Effeny’s 32 from 37 balls ensuring a quick finish to proceedings as the Green Caps start their season with maximum points.

Innings of : CADNAM 149 All Out (39.2 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 152 For 1 (30 Overs)

 RESULT : HYTHE 2nd XI (24pts) Beat CADNAM (4pts) by 9 Wkts