On Saturday Hythe hosted Rainham 2nd X1 at the Grove on a lovely day for cricket. Luke Bingham and Bobby Rumley were making their league debuts for Hythe as the season kicked off in Division 7 of the Kent League.

Hythe lost the toss and were asked to bowl as Rainham had 5 players delayed behind an accident on the M20. In only the fifth over Luke Bingham, keeping wicket, was struck a sickening blow to the face by a ball that ricocheted off the batsman’s pad. After a long delay for medical treatment the game restarted - with ‘Bingo’ heroically coming out to resume fielding despite a deep gash to his nose, and glasses held together with sticking tape.

Troy Harding and Grant Channon kept things tight in a long opening spell, restricting Rainham to 48-1 from 18 overs. Charlie Rumley then struck 1st ball with a beautiful in-swinger through the ‘gate’ to take middle stump. ?

As the umpire fretted about the slow over rate caused by the injury, Tim Pichowski rolled out his 2 step run up and gentle wobblers confusing batsmen in a make spell of 4-54 at the back end of the innings. Rainham finished on 219-7 from their 45 Overs.

Hythe’s openers saw the shine off the ball with a solid first 10 overs, before starting a trend of Hythe batsmen giving away their wickets when set, both chipping into the air. Bobby Rumley steered the ship with patience and well timed shots while Grant Champion (39) struck some no nonsense shots to get the scoreboard moving, before a mix-up ended with both batsmen at one end and Bobby run out on debut. Dan Cowell played a very well paced innings peppered with classy shots, making 41 before joining the parade of batters chipping the ball for easy catches. Hythe were now in trouble with 6 wickets down and ~80 still needed off around 12 overs

With a mountain to climb, Troy Harding and Charlie Rumley produced a match-winning partnership with some destructive hitting backed up by very aggressive running between the wickets.

Charlie (36*) played a very mature innings for his young years, while Troy (34*) used his experience and powerful hitting as the pair saw the team over the line in dramatic fashion for a big 1st win of the season

Hythe vs Rainham - Match Highlights
Interactive Scorecard