TOUR MATCH

HYTHE XI vs WICKFORD (Essex)

Thursday 29th July

Hythe Fall Short After Losing Their Way Mid Innings

Hythe's second midweek game saw old foes Wickford return to Jones Lane. Once upon a time there use to be 25 of them nowa days only a few extras. Hythe had to do without 'Jiggy' de Jager resting for the weekend !!! but the game with 4 overs to go would have been made for him. Wickford batted first scoring 211 all out. Hythe reply made 197 for 6.

Matt YOUNG 69*	Ben SMITH 4-43

Hythe welcomed Essex boys Wickford to Jones Lane as part of their 3 day Forest Tour. They beat Bashley on Monday and lost norrowly to Devon side Newton Tracey on Tuesday. Sean Tongs captain the green caps in place of De Jager who was resting ahead of a must win game at the weekend. Hythe fielded a relativky inexeperienced team which included Under 17 star man Chris Loader, Jack Knight Owen and Andy Horton.

Tongs won the toss and inserted the visitors. Hythe got an early wicket when Stovell had Leaver caught behind by Tony North for 20. Wickford's overseas fast bowler T.McMahon also opened the batting and looked pretty solid though he had never hit a fifty before. At 58 Hythe got their 2nd wicket when Carye was caught balerina style by North for 4. At the half way stage the visitors had mover onto 101 for 2 - Hythe were pleased with that considering at the same stage on Tuesday Exning were 150 on the same pitch.

In the 24th over Hythe got their 3rd wicket when Andy Horton managed to run out D.Etchells off his own bowling for 25. Horton in only his second game in 5 years looked one to try and keep with his loopy Max Walker action. The introduction of Ben Smith proved a bonus for Hythe - He got rid of R.Etchells (bowled) 4, J.Roche ( thanks to a McCarthy catch) 4 and Wickfords guest player Andy (I don't want to play for Hythe again) Woods - L.B.W for 5. - Wickford 173 for 6 off 36. Aussie McMahon brought up his maiden ton before Smith got his fourth wicket when Richards caught Gee for 11. Richards 2 and Stovell 1 then ended the innings - Wickford 211 all out and on Tongsys dust bowl you would have thought 30 runs light.

Hythe's reply opened with Tony North and 15 year old Jack Knight Owen. Unfortunately in the 4th over JKO was caught for 1 - Hythe 6-1. That brought in form Matt Young to the crease and the pair added 46 before North was bowled by Wickford skipper Shah for 31. Richie Froggett batted at 4 for some useful batting practice and hit a quick fire 39 including 5x4'2 & 2x6's as Hythe tried to up the pace. 99 for 3 at 23 overs.

Tom Richards and Young added 54 in the next 11 overs when ideally they were looking for 8 an over. When Richards was finally out Hythe were 153 for 4 still needing 58 off 6. Young brought up another good fifty with a four and with Tongs took the score to 186 in the penultimate over. Tongs went for 11 with no option but to have a swing and in an eventful last over Stovell went FIRST BALL and Chris Loader showed him how to do it by scoring a quick fire 11. Hythe ending on 197 for 6 losing by 14 runs. Matt Young ended on 69 not out

A good game which Hythe could have won had they upped the tempo earlier unfortunately between the 25th - 29th over they only scored 2 runs .

Innings of : WICKFORD (Essex) 211 All Out (36.4 Overs)

Hythe XI Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE XI 197 For 6 (40 Overs)

RESULT : WICKFORD Beat HYTHE XI by 14 Runs