LONG ITCHINGTON 1ST XI v EXHALL & WIXFORD 2ND XI
MATCH SPONSORED BY PAUL MONTGOMERY – A LIFE LONG PLAYER, AND CLUB VP (MANY THANKS PAUL)
23rd July 2011
MATCH REPORT – AN UMPIRE’S PERSPECTIVE!
Following a night of heavy rain, players turned up wondering just what conditions might await them. Don’t worry lads – Groundsman Foster and his able assistant Rawbone (S) had done their usual magnificent job and a bone dry pitch awaited them. The coin was tossed – Exhall skipper Rodgers correctly calling Her Majesty and chose to put Long Itch in. Openers Jack and Jones made a steady start, interspersed with some near suicidal calling. One could only assume Jack saw his partner as a threat to the batting average trophy and felt the need to take appropriate action. No need to worry Alex – after a stand of 69 in 20 overs Jones took the hint, and having hit the ball all of 10 feet surprised everyone, including himself, by calling for a quick single. Bowler Simpson gathered, turned, flung and threw down the wicket with a well aimed throw. Exit Jones.
Ex-captain Martyn Withawhy-Rawbone (48) joined Jack at the crease, and together upped the pace, until Jack fell for 58 – perhaps not his most fluent innings of the season, but welcome runs nonetheless. Middle order big hitters Grindal and Cox flattered to deceive, both being back in the pavilion after making a couple of lusty blows apiece. Franksy joined the fray, and immediately took advantage of the short boundary by crashing his first ball for four, and adding a further 27 more quick runs for an excellent 31 in just 15 balls, and earning himself match sponsor Monty’s MOTM nomination. Good running added valuable runs at the end, with the home side being finally dismissed in the final over for 246.
After a delicious tea provided by Angela Cox, (Grindal being most reluctant to leave the table) Itchington took the field and from the first ball put the visitors to the sword, with accurate bowling by openers Andy Wood and Steve Rawbone, with the former using the wind well to take 3-21 in his 10 overs. A good day for the Wood family was compounded with news from the 2nds at Exhall that “the young Seb” was showing his elders how to bat with an excellent 31. Back to Long Itch, and Rawbone’s spell came to a sudden end when his long suffering calf muscle yet again cried foul, leaving captain Brooks to try to find fielding positions where the veteran bowler could rest his troubled leg. Not sure whether slip was that position (and neither did his brother!) where Simmy later made a creditable impression of a dying Swan to spill a catch travelling at a speed of at least 5 mph. Exhall opener Hollands stood out as a class shot maker, and held the innings together for some time, until being trapped in front by Martin Clark for a well made 48.
Realising that the target of 247 was probably out of their reach, Exhall’s remaining batsmen batted sensibly but well within themselves, aiming for batting points rather that the glory of the win. Captain Brooks changed his seven bowlers on a regular basis, but ignored heavy hints from Martyn to try a bit of very slow off spin. The match itself went a bit flat, petering out in the end to a total of 162-8 in the allotted 45 overs. Perhaps the home side were missing the cacophony of noise that is James Clark? However, another win was posted, and the march to Division 1 continues.
Match stats
Long Itchington 246 all out 44.4 overs
Exhall & Wixford 162-8 45 overs