Hampshire South West 3

HYTHE 3rd XI vs EXBURY

Saturday 14th May

HYTHE LET WINNING CHANCE SLIP

Alex NICHOLAS 4-12

Hythe 3rd XI let a winning opportunity slip away as they were beaten by 10 runs at the hands of Exbury on Saturday. Hythe bowled the Ex's out for 120 with 14 year old Alex Nicholas taking 4-12. The Green Caps then couldn't cope with the pace of G.Dyer and the movement from R.Livermore as they fell 10 short.

Hythe fielded first on a blowy afternoon at Thornberry. Stovell took the new ball with Super Kev battling with the wind on his long run up. 27 runs came off the first 10 overs as Stovell got variable bounce and McCarthy was as tight as ever. The 50 came up in the 17th over before McCarthy got the break through - having Cornwall LBW for 22. At drinks the Ex's had moved onto 59 for 1. Stovell ending his spell 0-35 though he deserved a wicket and McCarthy 1-17 off 10.

Ali Bryers and Steve Chiverton replaced and at 72 - Chiverton bowled Philpott for 32. In his next over Chiv bowled Pete Miller for 8 - Exbury 77 for 3 off 26 overs. Bryers then bowled G.Livermore for 9 and finished his 4 over spell 1-26. Northy told Huxley to warm up and then changed his mind bringing on Alex Nicholas. Immeadiately the 14 year old made in roads. A Kev James catch gave him his first wicket and after Chiverton bowled Switzer for 2 - Nicholas removed Dyer and Blake for ducks before he removed the dangerous T.O'Connor for 18.

Chiverton then claimed Melson LBW and Exbury were all out for 120. An excellent bowling display from the Green Caps though you would say that the atmosphere did assist the bowlers.

Batting was never going to be easy especially against veterans Gary Dyer and R.Livermore. Northy looked in good nick but Stovell fell early for 1. Sam Mead playing his first game since last August took time to play himself in against some very good bowling. Hythe were 28 for 1 after 15. North fell at 41 for 21 bowled by G.Livermore and Hythe took drinks.

Tom Huxley and Sam Mead upped the pace - taking the score to 70 before the returning Dyer bowled Huxley for 14. 70 for 3. Sam Mead then run himself out for 22 and Garteh Mead was caught off T.O'Connor for 2. - Green Caps 89 for 5. Worse to come when next over Huxter triggered Kev James for 12 in the 35th over.

The two youngsters batted bravely before Bryers came off with a knock on the ankle. Wood was run out for 1 as Hythe needed quick runs - Dyer then bowled Chiverton for 1 and Hythe ended 10 short - 110 for 8 with Nicholas 10* and Bryers 6*. Exbury bowled well and probably deserved the win but owe for that LBW decision.

Toss Won by : Hythe

Innings of : EXBURY 120 All Out (40 Overs)

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE & DIBDEN 3rd XI - 110 For 8 (42 Overs)

Exbury Bowling