HYDE have been struggling all season for players with several of their regulars out injured or not available and the situation got even worse when they played Lyndhurst and Ashurst at Boltons Bench when two of their key bowlers were injured with Lewis Ball suffering a broken arm and Ben Daniels injuring his thigh.

It was Ball (2-26) and Daniels (2-23) who spearheaded Hyde’s attack and with Mike Shutler taking 3-40, they dismissed Lyndhurst for 173 in the 42nd over with George Hibell (46), Simon George (28) and Simon Park (28) the main scorers, writes Simon Rowley.

Rob Morey (30) and Mike Shutler (24) were the only Hyde batsmen to make a real impression as they were bowled out for 133 off 36 overs with Alex Hodder taking 5-26 alongside Hibell (2-30).

During the innings Ball was struck on the forearm by a beamer and a subsequent hospital visit showed that he has a broken bone and so will be out of the game for at least six weeks. Chris Shutler, the Hyde captain, said it was just another blow to their very difficult season.

Godshill were hoping to play their home fixture against bottom-of-the-table East Christchurch but they were beaten by the weather when a torrential rain storm soaked the pitch just before they were due to start and the game was called off.

Skipper Alan Cousins said that he was disappointed about not playing East Christchurch as they were looking for a victory to boost their relegation fight.

Breamore got a start against Damerham at The Marsh with openers, the Marlow brothers Shaun and Steve, playing out five overs before the rain came and the match was abandoned.

At the halfway stage in the season, Breamore are top of the table with six victories out of seven completed matches. Damerham are 11th with four wins and three defeats. Godshill and Hyde have both won two matches although Hyde have played eight games to Godshill’s seven and are one place off the foot of the table and two places below Godshill.

At the weekend, Damerham could inadvertently do Godshill and Hyde a favour when they travel to struggling Cadnam seconds.

Hyde look to steer away from 17th place when they travel to Sway seconds while Godshill entertain Brockenhurst.