BROCKENHURST vs HYTHE 2ND XI

Hants Reg South West 2

Saturday 12th June

Hythe 2nd XI Back On Track With Chalky Taking Wickets

Chalky WHITE - 5-37

With the game moved forward to allow time for the World Cup football in the evening, Gary Howe had to toss up as skipper Mike Bowman made his way from work. Unfortunately, Hythe lost the toss and were put into bat on a high scoring Balmer Lawn pitch.

Sean Tongs and Matt Young made good use of the poor Brockenhurst attack by racing off at over six runs per over in the first ten overs. Tongs made the most out of a dropped catch by hitting the next three consecutive balls to the boundary as Hythe raced away. The first wicket fell on 76 when Tongs picked out mid-wicket for 42 before a sudden double strike had Hythe reeling when the experienced Wayne Effeny and Mike Edwards both fell cheaply. Edward’s duck bringing to an end a run of 20 consecutive second team bats without a scoreless innings.

At 84-3 Hythe needed to rebuild and Young and skipper Mike Bowman did the perfect job. Starting slowly at first but then accelerating through the later overs, the pair was able to take the game away from the Badgers yet again. Both recorded a welcome fifty with the captain looking in particular touch, striking two imperious sixes into the leg-side field. After the 78 run partnership was broken with Young’s dismissal, the Green Caps scrambled around for the last ten overs hoping to push the score over 200.

Wickets fell as Brockenhurst held all their catches with Luke Mills contributing a quick 22 including a six while Gary Howe and Harry Smith fell cheaply in pursuit of a big total. In the end a couple of fours from Russell Moore in the last over took Hythe to 217-8 and maximum batting points.

In reply, Brockenhurst knew the target was attainable as the short boundary and quick outfield results in high scores on this ground. The hosts started well with runs coming from Mike Edwards’ bowling early on. At the other end Russell Moore bowled economically to restrict the Badgers’ batsmen and keep them below the asking rate. Eventually Edwards was rewarded with the first wicket after a superb catch from Lee Powell with the score on 63.

The break-through, as well as the introduction of the experienced Wayne Effeny and Ian White saw Hythe get well on top of the game. Effeny took two wickets in an accurate spell of bowling while White cut through the hosts from the other end. His five-wicket haul was aided by catches from Edwards and Young while another excellent Powell catch in the deep pushed Brockenhurst to the brink. The hosts had fallen to 94-5 and a long way off their target.

As the asking rate reached 10 an over Harry Smith was brought on to seal the win but ended up being hit over the short leg-side boundary as the hosts kept on fighting. One six striking a passing car as it sped down the road.

Toss Won by : Brockenhurst

Innings of : HYTHE 217 For 8 (42 Overs)

Brockenhurst Bowling

Innings of : Brockenhurst 159 All Out (38.2 Overs)

Hythe Bowling