ASHURST vs HYTHE SUNDAY XI

Sunday 19th August

Hythe Second Best @ Boltons Bench

Josh MEAD 8-3-16-4

In a week where match fixing has raised its ugly head again in cricket - good job the authorities weren't round Lyndhurst on Sunday as Hythe crumbled to a 27 run defeat at the hands of Ashurst. Chasing just 139 to win Hythe's favourite flutterer - Colonel Saunders saw his side slip from 72 for 3 to 111 all out.

Hythe’s Sunday XI turned up at Boltons Bench with 14 players as Rob Saunder's 'select the team on the day' policy continued. Woodsy and Barry Stovell stepped down - Woodsys only condition was he was still invited for tea. Jonjo Stovell volunteered to play for the opposition. Only Kev McCarthy and Steve Miller have now played more games for the opposition against Hythe.

Ashurst won the toss and elected to bat first. Six balls late they must have wished they hadn't as Josh Mead sent back skipper I.Cox and S.Park both for ducks. In his 5th over he was at it again - having Hodder caught for 2. Ashurst 6 for 3. They then made a recovery through J.Wicks and Dave Agha - slow may it be - 96 runs in 31 overs but it turned out to be a match winner. Wicks made 56 before bowled by Saunders whilst Agha scored 40 before being caught behind by Matt Howe off Harry Smith. M.Park made 10 not out as Ashurst ended their innings at tea on 138 for 8 Josh Mead finishing on 4-16 off 8, Saunders 2-19 off 10.

Hythe opened with Russell Moore and Sam Mead - Moore only making 5 before being bolwed by Park for 5. Matt Howe came and went very quickly for 3 and Hythe were 17 for 2. Sam Mead and Sean Tongs added 28 in 9 overs before Mead was well caught off Briggs for 20. Tongs and Huxley then added 28 as Hythe looked comfortable but in the first of the final 20 overs Huxley was caught off Tuck for 16. Hythe 73 for 4. That soon became 83 for 7 as Hythe's middle order hit the destruct button. - Tom Porter continued his hit and miss season when he was caught for 3 and then the ever reliable Sean Tongs had a rush of blood and run himself out for 29. Harry Smith then had a bigger rush of blood to be stumped for 0 off Hodder.

Matt Young looked in determined mood smashing a six and four but Saunders 0 and Josh Mead 4 both fell at the opther end to Jonjo Stovell. The final wicket came with 6 overs still to play - Matt Young holing out to Stovell off young Agha for 19 - Hythe 111 all out Ashurst winning by 27 runs.

With one game to go will Sean Tongs 841 or Matt Young 826 overtake De Jager 849 for the most friendly game runs this year which would be a very good achievement.

Toss Won By : Ashurst

Innings of : ASHURST 138 For 8 (44 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 111 All Out (33.5 Overs)

Ashurst Bowling

 RESULT : ASHURST Beat HYTHE SUNDAY XI by 27 Runs