HYTHE 3rd XI vs TOTTON & ELING IV's

Saturday 31st July

ITS FIVE WINS ON A SPIN THANKS TO STOVELL & RICHARDS

Tom RICHARDS 76*	Jonjo STOVELL 50
90 - 3rd Wicket Partnership

Its not for the first time this season Hythe 3rd XI have had to reply on mates Tom Richards (76*) and Jonjo Stovell (50) (90 run - 3rd wicket partnership) to steer them to victory - but the winning streak keeps on rolling and now with 4 games to go Hythe lead Central 4 by 9 points.

Totton & Eling made a good game of it and at 16 for 2 chasing 197 the game could have gone either way. Even at 111 for 4 Hythe didn't look comfortable byt a 77 run 6th wicket partnership between Tom Richards and Mike Graham 29 sealed the win and 24 points.

A good wicket greeted the sides as Hythe skipper Tony North won the toss and elected to field first. Hythe had the worse possible start when Luke Blackwell struggled with the breeze and occured a 4 wide first over. Steve Chiverton replaced and got the breakthrough in the 7th over - Whitcher bowled for 4. That was as good as it got for Chiverton as he struggled out of the attack with a calf problem.

Northy brough Tom Richards into the attack to support Kev McCarthy who was having no problems at the other end. His first 6 overs went for just 13 runs. At drinks Totton & Eling had moved onto 97 for 1 and Hythe looked ragged with both ball and in the field. Needless to say Northy had sharp words for his players at drinks. Did the trick though as next over Humber was bowled by Prentice for 37. Soon after Richards had Bankley very well caught by Tom Huxley in the deep for 46 and Pinkley caught by McCarthy for 2 - T&E 113 for 4.

Hampton and Maton added 56 for the 5th wicket before the returning Blackwell had Maton LBW for 23 in the 33rd over - T& E 169 for 5. That soon became 6 when Hampton was bowled by Prentice for 38. Blackwell then had Allen caught by Stovell for 4 and Stovell then got into the act - bowling Dorrington for 9 and Wragg for 4 in the same over - T& E 184 for 8 with 2 overs to go. Blackwells over drew a maiden so it was left to Stovell to try and get the final wicket and bowling point. Lloyd hit Stovell for 4 on the 2nd ball but with the final ball Lloyd went for a four which would have given T&E another batting point and was stumped by North. Totton 196 all out - Stovell 3-14

Hythe opened as usual with North and Zac Millar. Just 5 overs gone and North was bowled by Bagley for 6. 3 overs later Millar was also gone - judged caught off his glove off Whitcher for 10. - Hythe 16 for 2. Totton were really sensing an upset here but Richards and Stovell had other ideas. At 10 overs Hythe had moved onto 24 for 2 and at drinks 81 for 2 with the two lads going well and sensibly.

105 for 2 off 25 and Stovell brought up his fifty but the 26th over saw him dismissed - caught off Wragg. Tom Huxley went soon after for 7 and Hythe were 111 for 4 off 27. That brought Mike Graham to the crease - he and Richards adding 77 in 9 overs. Richards brought up his fifty whilst Graham hitting 3x4's and a six in a quick fire 29 before being caught off Whitcher.

Tom Richards though saw Hythe home in the 39th over - Richards 76* inc 10x4's and a six - Prentice 5*

Well done to T&E though - they made a good game of it in an excellent game.

Hythe meanwhile go to North Baddesley next week hoping the 2nd XI don't take too many of their players.

Toss Won by : Hythe

Innings of : TOTTON & ELING 196 All Out (42 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 197 For 5 (39.1 Overs)

Totton & Eling Bowling