WEEK 2 - LEAGUE SEASON -Saturday 13th May

Disappointment as both our league sides suffered defeats yesterday.

HYTHE 1ST XI Vs RYDE

Toss : Won by Ryde.

Hythe suffered a 13 run defeat against newly promoted Ryde yesterday in a topsy turvy game that could have gone either way.

Ryde won the toss and decided to bat which seemed a good decision as they ploughed there way to 110 for 0 off 22 overs.

But the introduction of firstly Ben Kendirck 3-28 and then Dave Guymer and Paul Whitlock gave Hythe new enthusiasm as they started to reduce the run flow and take wickets.

Grobler the came back for his second spell and ripped through the lower order to finish on 4-55 off 12 as Ryde went from 110 for 0 to 183 for 9. The Hythe lads were insenced that a dubious umpire call for no ball when Grobler smashed down the stumps for his fifth wicket could have meant that Ryde could have been all out for 155. 9 ( But there we go who would be an umpire )

In reply Hythe came up against some very tight bowling and as the conditions became darker the task became harder. The James brothers got Hythe off to a steady start before Robbie 11 got a ball that lifted quickly on him. Kev 21 and Si Dixon 55 set the platform for for Hythe to go for it in the last 20 overs but then Hythe lost four relitavely quick wickets to swing it back in Rydes favour. Enter Nardus Grobler who hit a quick fire 28 with three massive sixes onto the roof of the youth club and Hythe were back in it . Dixon went onto make his second successive 50 with was a good captains innings but was next out and when Froggett followd shortly afterwards Hythe were still 30 short of their run chase with 7 overs left. Whitlock 5* was next in and looked in very good nick but two wickets in two balls left Hythe on 160 for 9 with four overs left.

Russell Moore 6 batted commendably trying to support Whits against some quick, tight bowling but with 13 needed off 2.1 overs Moore went for a quick single and was Run Out by inches and Hythe were beaten.

Whilst its easy to blame the officials several of the Hythe batsman gave away their wickets too easily and the question has to be asked why someone with Whits experience is batting at number 9 especially with his experience in a run chase.

But it was a good game with both teams playing it in a very sporting manner.

Innings of : RYDE 183 for 9 ( 45 Overs )

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 170 all out ( 42.5 Overs )

HYTHE 2nd XI Vs BAE SYSTEMS

Toss Won by : BAE

Hythe were put in by their hosts and found the conditions extremely difficult . Only Steve Miller 32 late on made any sort of head way into the BAE attack and Hythe were all out for 95 despite on paper having a very good batting line up.

In reply the BAE openers took their time and played with the right batting technique for their pitch.

They reached their total without losing a wicket with 15 overs to spare.

Innings of : HYTHE 95 all out

Innings of BAE Systems : 98 for 0 ( 27.1 Overs )

HYTHE BOWLING

Sunday 14th May Vs WESSEX PILGRIMS

Toss Won by : Pilgrims

Following the two league defeats the previous day Hythe were hoping to bounce back with a good performance against their Bournemouth opponents who scored 270 against us last year.

Richie Bunce lost Robbie James and Russell Moore from the selected side and was unable to bowl himself because of a tight hamstring.

Wessex won the toss and decided to bat and at one stage were looking to emulate last seasons performance.

Bunce then turned to Grobler to put the brakes on and the South African duly obliged with his 6 overs going for only 11 runs and claiming 3 wickets. Lee Powell playing his first senior game of the season also put in a good performance with the ball with his 4 overs only giving away 17 runs. Wessex declared at tea on 210 for 7 off 30 overs.

In reply Hythe got off to a strong start through Sean Tongs 32 and 15 year old Tom Porter 33 before losing their first wicket at 67. Nardus Grobler 88 then kept the run rate up and with the support of Paul Whitlock 19 and Mike Bowman 13* Hythe were always in with a shout. With 3 balls left Hythe needed 2 runs to win but two wickets in the next two balls Hythe couldn't get the runs they required and left the match ending in a draw, but a great game of cricket for a Sunday afternoon.

Innings of : Wessex Pilgrims 210 for 7 ( 39 overs )

HYTHE BOWLING

Innings of : HYTHE 209 for 9 ( 36 overs )