Long Itchington Cricket Club

CATNEY 1ST XI v LONG ITCHINGTON 1ST XI

3rd September 2011

MATCH REPORT

Well, what a report to write! With another season drawing to a close, Long Itch went into this match with the knowledge that they were already promoted, but were still smarting from the previous week’s one sided affair, and were keen to finish the season on a high. And blimey, did they succeed, or what !?

Pingu had perhaps been unfortunate in making way for the return of Jacko, who, having been reportedly close to knocking on the doors the Pearly Gates only a week earlier, had confounded medical opinion by making a miraculous recovery and deeming himself fit to perform. The estimated 12 weeks recovery period was thrown out of the window as he saw the opportunity to boost the season’s average.

With both teams keen to get going the coin was tossed and Catney chose to bat on what looked to be a good pitch. Openers Mason and Hanlon made a steady start but did express their surprise at being faced with an opening bowler (Tino 4-21) bowling off breaks, who was turning the ball sharply. After a couple of rather exuberant appeals for stumpings from Clarky (for who for the first time this season wasn’t the loudest in the game at talking absolute nonsense – beaten easily by Catney’s Sandhu), he then whipped the bails off sharply whilst Mason’s foot hovered above the line. One down – nine to go.

A thoroughly professional bowling and fielding performance then ensured. Wickets tumbled on a regular basis, with accurate bowling and good catches keeping the pressure on Catney. The aforementioned Mason’s 17 runs turned out to be the top score, with only one of his colleagues joining him on double figures. Perhaps more surprisingly was the statistic that Long Itch did not concede a single extra in the whole innings! So, after just 27.4 overs Catney were dismissed for a poor 52, with Mat Cox mopping up the tail with 3 for 1 off 3.4 overs.

With bread still being buttered and eggs yet to be boiled, the umpires chose to go straight back out and get on with Itchington’s reply. Jack and Grindal started steadily against some sharp bowling by Carl Lewis and spinner Mason (Catney having followed skipper Brook’s lead). Sadly for them they couldn’t make the in-roads that Itchington’s bowlers had done, and it was all over by 3.45pm, with Grindal being the only wicket to fall for 19. Jack’s decision to play was vindicated, with a steady 19 not out, and Tommy Perks, having been tested with a few short deliveries from Lewis, completed what has been an excellent season, with 14 not out.

Back to the pavilion we went again, this time for the last time. How odd to be having an early tea, at 3.45pm, with the game completely over! The team returned to Long Itchington, resplendent in Mat Cox lookalike shirts, to support the 2nds, who manly stuck to their task to well beat a Catney 2nd team, and perhaps show who really should have gone up from their Division? Celebrations of promotion went long into the night, washed down at the Green Man by jugs of beers and plates of curry.

We now face eight long months of analysis, planning and general bullsh*t until we play our first game in Division 1. Roll on May 2012 !!

Long Itchington U11 vs Barby U11 11/8/2011
Barby won the toss and elected to field on a dry, slow,worn pitch that was likely to be hard to score runs on.
Brennnan and Lucas opened the batting and put on a solid 15 runs for the first pair with no loss of wickets, including a fine 4 from Lucas. Bean and William took the score to 21 with one loss of wicket. Ethan and Peter C despite hitting some good shots and scoring 19 runs unfortunately losing 3 wickets to make a net score increase of only 4 runs. Peter C looked fluent in his first game of the season hitting 2 fine fours. James and George were the final pair and we needed a good stand. They did not disappoint hitting a net 17 runs after being out just the once. James again looking at ease after hitting his first ball for 4 to make 12 runs which made him the top scorer on the day. LI finished on a respectable 242.
Barby tried to get after the LI bowling from the start but there aggressive intent also let to a regular loss of wickets. For the second week running LI took 8 wickets with 3 fabulous catches in the outfield from Brennan, James and George. Pick of the bowlers were George with 3 over’s 1 for 8 and Ethan 2 over’s 1 for 5. Good death bowling under pressure again this time from George and James made sure Barby did not get over the line, finishing 10 runs short. Overall it was probably the best fielding display of the year.
LI ended on unbeaten run of 7 games to round of the season after sealing the league title the week before.

LONG ITCHINGTON U17s WIN RDCL FOR FIRST TIME !!!!

On a chill evening in Long Itchington our u17s defeated Oakfield to clinch our first ever Rugby District Cricket League title at this age-group.
LICC won the toss and elected to bat but quickly lost opener Jonathon Wigley (6) and Nathan Hooker was playing “russian roulette” with the fielders and was dropped 3 times early on in a jittery start. But gradually Jamie Breakwell (35) and Nathan (50* ret) brought the innings back on even keel with a 67 run partnership. This allowed Jake Butler (25*) to swing the bat with a typical forceful knock to allow LICC to reach 133 for 3 wickets in their 18 overs.
In reply Oakfield were never really in contention, youngster Chris Goodwin scored a patient 21 but Jake Butler (4-0-13-3) and Jack Jobling (4-0-14-1) celebrated their call-up to the District team in fine style.Oakfield were left 30 runs short on 103 for 7 in their 18 overs.
So Congratulations to our u17 youngsters for their well-deserved League Title.

Long Itchington U11 vs Long Buckby U11
On an evening where play looked unlikely, both teams were eager to play so the coaches chanced the weather and played.
Buckby won the toss and put LI in on a fast, bouncy , greasy artificial pitch. Brennan opened with debutant Jake. The pair looked solid and in their 4 over’s put on 15 runs for no wickets including a superb dance down the wicket and hit it over the top 4 from Brennan. Will and Bean in next were a little unlucky to lose some wickets to superb direct hit run outs in the field and Will wore his first ‘rib tickler’ with great bravery to see the fast bowlers off. Jamie and George then put on 19 runs in the next 4 over’s with no loss of wickets with some controlled and intelligent batting. James and Harry carried on the good work with another 14 runs for the last 4 over’s including a fine back foot drive for 4 from James that whistled to the boundary.
Only one bowled this week but thanks to 3 run outs a slightly below par 242 was put on the board.
Right from the start however LI showed the value of line and length and never let Buckby in the game. They had 8 wickets(All bowled) and they constantly had Buckby on the back foot and despite 9 off the last over Buckby were 4 runs short. Will with 2 overs for 1 with 3 runs concede and George 2 overs for 2 with 5 runs conceding were the pick. Special mention also to Brennan and Jamie for fine death bowling under pleasure and Bean for only one bye.
This results now means LI WIN THE RUGBY AND DISTRCT U11 LEAGUE as they are now unassailable with one game left. A fine effort to all the lads who have played this year.

On a warm evening in Guilsborough, a very young u17 LICC team managed to find the correct ground and were asked to field first, in an 18 over match due to Guilsborough arriving late. A good opening stand of 49 gave Guilsborough a solid base until Sam Hain and Guntash Gill managed to break through to be 55 for 3. Then James Hadley (30) saw Guilsborough through to 106 for 5 in their 20 overs, Seb Wood taking 2 late wickets for Long Itchington.
In reply good opening bowling restricted LICC, Jamie Breakwell scored 22 but looked sluggish after holidays. Only when Sam Hain (26) came to the crease did LICC start to motor but he unfortunately holed out in the last over and we fell 2 runs short on 104 for 7 in our 18 overs. Overall a good effort from a side with only 2 17 year olds and even 2 14 year olds because of holiday committments.