HYTHE XI vs VALLEY PARK

 Mon 31st May

It's A Birthday Ton For The Guru Before Old Age Sets In.

Hythe proved too strong for Valley Park on Bank Holiday Monday after Sean Tongs captured his 8th Hythe Ton putting him just two behind the all time record holder Dave Price. Hythe captained by Andy Woods amassed 249 for 6 from their 40 overs. Valley Park, who normally only play midweek twenty20 cricket, showed great committment throughout and were shot out for just 113.

Sean TONGS 108*

On a muggy afternoon Woodsy won the toss and elcted to bat first angainst the Valley Park. Sean Togs opened with Sam Mead but found the early going tough against a new swinging ball. 15 year old M.Grey bowled very well as his first 6 overs went for just 4 runs. At 10 overs Hythe had crawled onto 24 for 0. Sam Mead was then caught off Edwards for 18 - Hythe 25 for 1.

Tongs and Matt Howe then added 60 in 6 overs before Howe was caught well down by Absolom senior for 26. No one was really sure if the ball carried but Howe sportingly gave the fielder the benefit of the doubt. At drinks Hythe had moved onto 102 for 2 with Tongs heading for another fifty. Rich Froggett smashed 3x4's before being bowled by Moreton for 18. Valley Park kept plugging away and skipper Andy Woods was the next Hythe batsman to go - caught for 9 - Hythe 172 for 4 off 32 overs.

Matt Young slammed 2 sixes against Dashies fence before be ing next out for a quick fire 28. Tongs brought up his 100 with the aid of a runner after going down with cramp.

Just before the end Ben Smith was caught off the returning Absolum junior for 2 and at the cose Hythe finished on 249 for 6 with Tongs 108 not outand Tom Richards 9 not out.

After tea Hythe opened up with Josh Mead and Kev McCarthy. The first 8 overs went for 42 before Josh Mead had Valley Park guest player - Jonjo Stovell well caught by Matt Howe for 5. McCarthy then had Salmon LBW for 1 and Valley Park were 47 for 2 off 10. Both bowlers were replaced with Ben Smith coming down and Steve Chiverton going uphill. (Amything to stop Froggie from doing everything) Chivertons first ball resulted in a catch by Matt Young and in his second over the first ball saw Stevenson caught by Richards for 1. Matt Young stumped M.Powell very next ball only for Ben Smith to call him back. 2 balls later though he was bowled for 1. Valley Park 58 for 4.

Ben Smith's 5 overs went for just 14 with little luck whilst Absloum snr was bringing up a very good fifty. M.Moreton smashed Chiverton over the trees behind the youth club but when he tried it again next over Froggett took a very good catch 84 for 6. Harry Smith came on to grab 2 wickets in 2 overs including Absolum senior for 54 thanks to a very good catch from Josh Mead. Chiverton then grabbed his 5th wicket thanks to a Harry Smith catch. Tom Richards then finished things off when Froggett excellently caught Absolum jnr in the slips for 5. Vally Park 113 all out

Innings of : HYTHE 249 For 6 (40 Overs)

Valley Park Bowling

Innings of : VALLEY PARK 113 All Out (28 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

RESULT : HYTHE Beat VALLEY PARK by 136 RUNS