WEEK 5 - LEAGUE SEASON - Sat 3rd June & Sun 4th June

June's arrived the suns come out, the pitches are drying out and the true Nardus Grobler has arrived.

Well supported by the three other bowlers Grobler ripped through the Burridge batting taking 7 wkts for 29 runs and playing a big part in setting up a 5 wicket win for the First Team their first win of the season.

The Seconds XI batted first against Fawley III only to be skittled out for 112. The Oilmen were never reallt in trouble and despite losing three wickets got home with 14 to spare.

HYTHE 1ST XI Vs BURRIDGE II

Toss : Won by Hythe

Burridge won the toss and elected to bat first on the hottest day of the year so far.

Nardus Grobler soon made it even hotter for the Burridge batsman, bowling with a lot of pace and getting some good bounce from a dry pitch.

Grobler struck in the 5th over taking two Burridge wickets in consecutive balls. Unfortunatley he copped out of a jug and a hat trick by bowling the next ball for a wide.

Rich Froggett at the other end was bowling well but without any luck. Grobler struck again in the 7th over with a well taken catch by Dave Guymer at square leg.

Ben Kendrick and Paul Whitlock the came on after 7 overs each from the openers and continued the trend of bowling very tightely, helped by some good work from the fielders.

After 19 overs Burridge had only scored 58 runs and then lost their fifth wicket to a direct throw from Simon Wright.

Runs were hard to come by and in the 27th over they lost their 6th wicket with only 78 on the board - Caught behind by Kev James off Ben Kendrick who deserved his wicket for effort.

The Burridge 100 came up in the 34th over for the loss of 7 wkts which soon became 8 as Grobler returned to take his 6th wicket.

Burridge then made a bit of a recovery through their last two wickets before Grobler picked up his 7th wicket. A fine spell by the big man.

Whitlock then returned to take the final wicket one which he thoroughly deservd for his 9 overs which only went for 17 runs, and wrap up the Burridge Innings at 139 all out.

It was a strong performance from the Hythe Bowlers and Si Dixon will also be pleased with the effort in the field. Only two half chances went down - one from (small hands) Dixon himself in the slips and the other to Belly who I think was worried about falling down the drain hole in the deep.

At tea the Hythe batsman were very optimistic about getting the 140 to win but they lost last seasons top batsman - Robbie James early. Kev James 40 and Simon Dixon 21 then knuckled down and started to play some good shots.

At 15 overs Hythe were 60 for 1 and coasting but you know cricket it can change in an instance and four overs later Hythe were 60 for 4 losing James, Dixon and Wright. The Burridge players were on a high and could sense they were in with a chance of claiming their first win of the season.

Dave Guymer was joined at the wicket by Ben Kendrick who looked in very good form. Guymer 10* played the supporting role as Kendrick took to the three Burridge spinners with caution but picking off the loose balls.

Hythe's 100 came up in the 28th over and the two batsman took them to within nine runs when Kendrick was bowled for a fine 49 which included 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Grobler 5* then joined Guymer to see Hythe home and record their first league win of the campaign.

Innings of : BURRIDGE II 139 all out ( 43.2 Overs )

Hythe Bowling

Innings of : HYTHE 142 for 5 ( 39.3 Overs )

HYTHE 2nd XI Vs FAWLEY III

Toss Won by : Hythe

Hythe welcomed back Tom Barge for his first game in several years and were hoping to continue from their fine win against Bransgore last week.

Mike Bowman won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket which proved difficult early on because of the indifferent bounce.

Whilst Sean Tongs 31 batted steadily at one end Hythe lost too many early wickets at the other. Only Tongs and Pete Stevens 30 made any real contribution with the bat and Hythe were bowled out for 112.

Hythe bowlers started well with Mike Bowman taking the wicket of Hythe old boy Kev Glass, and Richie Bunce bowling a miserly spell at the other. But the Oilmen could afford to take their time and were never really troubled again until they were 10 runs short of their target. They then lost two quick wickets before getting home with 14 overs to spare and record their second win of the season.

Innings of : HYTHE 112 all out

Innings of FAWLEY III : 115 for 3 ( 27.5 Overs )

HYTHE BOWLING

SUNDAY XI Vs GOSPORT BOROUGH

Playing against a Southern League's Sunday side you never know what you are up against but you know that the colts playing for them are going to be of a good standard.

Hythe won the toss and elected to bat but Bunceys side was weakened by having to play three players that were not in the best frame of mind for a cricket match. In future guys remember it doesn't show the club in good light by playing under the influence.

Hythe lost both openers early on against some very good Gosport bowling.

Richie Bunce 12 and Sean Tongs 27 then settled in before Bunce was next to go. Simon Wright 13 got started and played on but it was only Paul Whitlock 41* who showed any sort of form against their tidy opponents and Hythe finished their innings at tea on 143 for 8.

Buncey was hoping that Grobler could continue his form from the previous day but he was up against some decent opening batsman. Gosport did lose one wicket on the way to their total - Luke Mills getting the wicket but it was never going to effect the result and Gosport got home by 9 wickets.

Toss Won by : Hythe

Innings of : HYTHE 143 for 8 ( 45 Overs )

Innings of : GOSPORT 146 for 1 ( 24.1 overs )

HYTHE BOWLING