BISHOPS WALTHAM vs HYTHE SUN XI

(Friendly)

Sunday 17th April

GREEN CAPS GAIN DRAW AND GOOD BATTING PRACTICE

Matt YOUNG 67	Matt HOWE 70
88 Opening Stand

Hythe narrowly missed out on victory on day one of the season but came away from Bishop’s Waltham with a winning draw thanks to an impressive batting display.

Hythe Sunday Captain Rob Saunders won the toss on a beautiful day at Albany Road and decided to bat on the Astroturf that was being used at this early stage of the season.

New First Team Skipper Matt Howe was joined by Matt Young at the crease and it was the former who got the show on the road. Three fours in the first over were symbolic of his innings as Hythe raced to 58-0 off just six overs. By the time man-of-the-match Howe was dismissed for 70, he had struck 12 fours and one six with the score on 88.

Although Sean Tongs came and went relatively cheaply for eight after being caught on the boundary, Young regrouped with James Page as they forged a 52 run partnership. When Young was eventually bowled for a fine 67 (including four fours and two sixes) the score had reached 176-3 with plenty of time remaining.

In case Bishop’s Waltham thought they would get any respite, they were wrong as Page and new man in Luke Mills struck up another sizable partnership. Although both men fell in quick succession, they had kept the run rate above seven an over with both men hitting a six. Page fell narrowly short of a half-century to bring Harry Smith to the crease to join Tom Richards in finishing off the final overs before tea. At the break Hythe had raced to 279-5 at a team run-rate of 7.5rpo with Richards and Smith unbeaten on 21 and 25 respectively.

When the Green Caps came out to defend the mammoth total they were dealt an early slice of luck when the Bishop’s Waltham’s openers suffered a mix-up allowing Jonjo Stovell to complete the run-out. After that though Hythe toiled on the Astroturf as their luck dried up with both opening bowlers; Alex McMillan and Russell Moore, unfortunate not to make a break-through.

After a century partnership between Bishop’s Waltham opener Sav (30) and number three, Budd (69) it was Harry Smith who finally made the breakthrough with a fine caught and bowled attempt to dismiss Sav. Hythe were attacking with full intent and rarely had any men on the boundary but chances were at a premium due to the nature of the pitch and thoughtfulness of the batsmen. A quick double strike helped rekindle hopes of a victory when Richards took another caught and bowled while Luke Mills ran out Pitts-Melon with a direct hit.

Richards then picked up a second wicket before Captain Rob Saunders took two in a couple of overs in-between McMillan securing his first wicket for the club with the dismissal of McPhail for 61. Unfortunately, Hythe fell short with Bishop’s Waltham finishing on 192-8 but every Hythe player was given a good run out in this early season friendly.

Toss Won by : Hythe

Innings of : HYTHE 279 For 5 (37.2 Overs)

Fall of Wkts : 88-1, 124-2, 176-3, 224-4, 233-5

Bishops Waltham Bowling

Innings of : BISHOPS WALTHAM 192 For 8 (35 Overs)

Hythe Bowling