Saltwood CC (220-8) started the season with a win over local rivals, Hythe Green CC (148 ao). The new wicket played well for its first outing and will only get better given more time to dry out.
The day didn’t start well for Saltwood’s openers, both falling for single digit scores to ‘early season shots’. The ship was steadied by the middle order batsman Dan Cowell (22), Jake Goodwin (101) and Teddy Easthope (58*) taking Saltwood up to a respectable score of 200 before Owen Reed (13) swung the willow, adding some runs in a final flurry in the last 2 overs.
Hythe Green got off to a decent start with the opening pair putting on 30 runs before Martin Whybrow (18) fell to a surprising accurate spell of bowling from Ian Oakes (2-17 from 7 overs). Two more wickets fell without any runs being added leaving Hythe Green on the verge of and England style collapse. Jack Woods (23), on loan from SCC, batted well with Time (14) and James Whybrow (48) taking Hythe Green up to 136 for 6 before Saltwood finished off the remaining batsmen for a further 12 runs. G Cartledge (4-31 off 7 overs) took the bowling honours with Jeremy Russell showing everyone how to take low diving catches in the slips. An early contender for catch of the season.
