Rowington was the venue for Long Itchingtons first Saturday Fixture of the 2010 season. The Clubs new Skipper, Martin Clark lost his first toss and the home team decided to make first use of the track, (the result would have been the same had Clark won the spin).
The Itchington opening bowlers started well, but it soon became apparent that any ball that was short or wide got put to the sword, as the short leg side boundary hedge had a tough afternoon.
The Innings was dominated by opener Rogers, who has started the season in good form, and always put the bad ball away. Clark used 7 bowlers in the 40 over game, and after he reached 117 he asked Itchington if he could retire!…. much to the disappointment of the Itchington Bowlers!.
Griffin made a useful 48 and the Rowington Team finished on a tidy 231 for 3, and considering Rogers retired, perhaps the score could have been more, had he stayed in the middle
Clark bowled a tidy 7 over spell conceding 27 and picking up the wicket of Smith, and Perks finished the innings well, with his 5 over’s only conceding 16 runs, 3 being maidens, which was a good effort bowling at the end of any innings.
After the interval in his first game for the visitors Roger Eadon joined James Clark and they started chasing down the target.
Eadon was first to go with the score on 38 in the 7th over. Clark made a solid 33, and Alex Jack put together an excellent 58, making good use of the short boundary; however the target rate slowly got out of reach due to mixture of losing wickets at regular intervals and the fielders taking their catches.
After 30 over’s the Visitors were still on 137 for 4 needing 95 of the last 10, and although the over rate was rising, cameos from Rawbone, and Chapman kept the score respectable, but in the end Itchington finished on 214 for 8.
The home side used 6 bowlers 3 of them taking 2 wickets a piece, Jay being the most consistent; his opening spell of 8 over’s only conceding 19 runs.
Itchington can take some positives from the game, but need to be more consistent with both bat and ball with the first league game next weekend.
James Clark was voted the Man of the Match for a solid display and was ran close by Alex for his excellent batting so well done to them.
Next week sees the start of the League season, and the performances of James and Alex need to be copied by the rest of the side.
Rowington were excellent hosts, both on and off the pitch, and we wish the well in the coming season. The chicken and chips were great, and thanks to the Tea Ladies for that.