Matt Young 91 not out in Hythe win
Tom Richards is trying to fathom out how Hythe & Dibden, having gifted 38 wides, still managed to beat Southern Premier League Cup rivals Paultons, who contrived to snatch the proverbial defeat from the jaws of victory in a bizarre finale to the West 2/3 duel at Whitemoor Lane.
Almost five overs of the match remained when Paultons - at 187-8 and Nathan Feltham the crease – were five runs shy of overhauling Hythe’s 191-3.
“The game seemed to be up for us at that stage and when two stumpings were missed and a catch was dropped off a maiden I bowled, we all thought the game was most certainly gone,” he admitted.
But with the first ball of the 35th over, Ian White (3-22) bowled Feltham (43) going for a big, potentially match winning hit and with his next delivery had Andrew Denny caught by Matt Young, who had spilled an easier one the previous over.
Earlier Josh Metcalfe (47) and teenage left-hander Ben Rogers (26) had guided Paultons into a strong position at 113-3, but the host side continued to give their wickets away cheaply, young spinner Ben Holbrook cashing in with 3-51.
Matt Young had underpinned the Hythe innings, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 91, which included three sixes and six fours – his highest score in five seasons.
Waterside’s Young Sportsman of the Year in 2018, Young flourished in a 143-run stand with Zac Millar (62), who cleared the boundary rope three times and is ending the truncated season in a rich vein of form.
“Matt batted brilliantly and I’m pleased he managed to push on from another strong start on this occasion,” Richards continued.
Almost five overs of the match remained when Paultons - at 187-8 and Nathan Feltham the crease – were five runs shy of overhauling Hythe’s 191-3.
“The game seemed to be up for us at that stage and when two stumpings were missed and a catch was dropped off a maiden I bowled, we all thought the game was most certainly gone,” he admitted.
But with the first ball of the 35th over, Ian White (3-22) bowled Feltham (43) going for a big, potentially match winning hit and with his next delivery had Andrew Denny caught by Matt Young, who had spilled an easier one the previous over.
Earlier Josh Metcalfe (47) and teenage left-hander Ben Rogers (26) had guided Paultons into a strong position at 113-3, but the host side continued to give their wickets away cheaply, young spinner Ben Holbrook cashing in with 3-51.
Matt Young had underpinned the Hythe innings, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 91, which included three sixes and six fours – his highest score in five seasons.
Waterside’s Young Sportsman of the Year in 2018, Young flourished in a 143-run stand with Zac Millar (62), who cleared the boundary rope three times and is ending the truncated season in a rich vein of form.
“Matt batted brilliantly and I’m pleased he managed to push on from another strong start on this occasion,” Richards continued.
