HYTHE & DIBDEN CRICKET CLUB

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New Forest League South Division

HYTHE UNDER 15's vs FAWLEY

3rd July @ Jones Lane

UNDER 15'S BOUNCE BACK WITH NARROW WIN OVER FAWLEY

Kieran CHALMERS 41*

  There was a pre-match discussion before this game as to what is and isn't acceptable in the field following the last home match which was a shocker in the quarter finals of the cup......   So for parents reading this please relay a collective pat on the back to you sons for a vast improvement in attitude and application in the field!! As it turned out the change of attitude in the field won the Under 15s this game as without it they would definitely have lost so it was a very timely turn around.   A couple of weeks earlier the wheels came off in the cup as in the field some of the boys were guilty of:  

• Standing still with arms folded right to the point of the bowlers delivery
• Very quiet
• Very little verbal support for team mates
• Very slow between overs
• Misfields and dropped catches due to not being alert and on their toes

   However, that was contrary to most of the other games this season and it was very pleasing to see and hear the boys this week which gives the total impression of being up for the game and immediately puts pressure on the opposition. So this week we had:  

• All the lads walking in
• Rare misfields or dropped catches (there will always be mistakes which are totally acceptable as long as you have given yourself a chance by being ready and on the move)
• Lots of banter(all good natured too), chat and encouragement in the field which was great and not what you want to hear if you are the opposition batsmen)
• Quicker between overs looking like they meant business
• And no folded arms at point of delivery thank goodness

So credit where credit is due - well done boys, more of the same and you will stand a much greater chance of winning your last two matches not to mention you all seemed to enjoy it a lot more being more verbal and involved.   Anyway preaching done for today and onto the match......   It was a glorious, proper summers day with Fawley winning the toss and putting Hythe into bat. Richard Jones and Zac Millar opened but unfortunately Zac went LBW for 3 before he had a chance to get going and Richard went not too long after him for 8 having unfortunately holed out perfectly to the fielder at backward point. Slight worry with the top 2 gone so early which doesn't normally happen.

Skipper Kieran Chalmers and James Bidwell set about rebuilding the innings and put on a very tidy partnership before James was bowled for 16 (much improved and making some good runs this season though James!). In came Nathan Froggett to play with the shackles off (that means Richie is on tour so no pressure) alas he was kicking himself when he attempted to hit one over the top but didn't quite middle it so was caught having made 3. In came Josh Mead who again built another good partnership with Kieran who between them kept the score ticking along although the runs weren't flowing as freely as some weeks possibly due to an ever rising temperature. Kieran retired on 41 not out and Josh was bowled out for 15. This left Harrison Smith and Jordan Blandford to bat out the last over or so with Harrison bowled out on the last ball of the innings for 2 and Jordan left on 1 not out.  Final total a respectable 121 for 6.   So to that much improved fielding performance.

Hythe opened with Kieran and Josh who unusually didn't pick up any wickets for their 2 overs a piece; with Josh struggling for line and length (still early since your come back Josh, just relax don't try 'too' hard and don't beat yourself up so much - maybe some pre-match yoga required?!) Next up 'Alex longer run up than Steve Harmison Nicholas' and 'Jack new king of spin Knight-Owen' both taking a wicket a piece, Alex with a clean bowled and Zac racing to take a good catch off of JKO.

Then came Richard Jones and Jordan Blandford with Richard bowling particularly economically and picking up 2 wickets, a clean bowled and caught behind by Zac whilst Jordan picked up a neat clean bowled of his own. Along the way James Bidwell and Zac combined to ensure a comfortable run out.   So after all the coming and goings and good fielding performance the runs had still been ticking along, extra drinks breaks had been taken and it was down to the final over with Fawley still in with a good shout.....12 needed off the last over to win, although by now they had two of their youngsters at the crease with a bit less fire power but who had already scored a few decent runs.

A senior players conference took place and a sound tactical decision was taken to take the pace off the ball as Kieran gave the responsibility to JKO (good to see the boys thinking tactically!) Luckily it worked with Jack taking a caught and bowled on the first delivery. The rest of the over passed with just 4 runs coming from it and the game was won by 7 runs which kept the spectators gripped until the very end.      Fawley finished on 114 with 85 from the bat and 29 in extras (that's the area to improve on for next week boys against Lymington - lets see if you can bring the extras down to no more than 1 per over).  

A good performance by the Under 15s played in a good spirit by both teams.

Toss Won by : Hythe

Innings of : HYTHE 121 For 6 (18 Overs)

Innings of : FAWLEY 114 For 7 (18 Overs)

Hythe Bowling