Long Itchington Cricket Club

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.

On a lovely sunny summers evening Oakfield were the visitors with the Itchington lads on a good winning run. Having lost the toss the lads were inserted into bat and the regular openers of Brennan Lumby and Harry Mitchell made a steady start putting on 10 for the first pair. James Rawbone and Lucas batted well to increase the score by 17 and a solid platform was set for the last pairs. They duly obliged with Ned Mitchell and Bean Dunkerton putting on 19 with no outs including a memorable straight drive from Ned. George Heaven and Jamie Haywood then continued the good work to also put on 19 with Jamie hitting two excellent 4’s in his 10. Aided by a few wides from Oakfield a score of 265 looked to be reasonable to defend but would still require a good bowling performance.

The innings could not have got off to a better start with Ned clean bowling one opener and Brennan catching the other off Jamie. Bean and Lucas also bowled well to ensure a tight start was achieved. James and George then bowled a fantastic four over spell with only one run being added to the total with James bowling 2 overs for 1 run and George’s overs only going for 4 runs with one wicket. The pressure was kept on Oakfield as Jamie came back and bowled a wicket maiden. Brennan and Ned shared the last overs and both bowled immaculately both taking a couple of wickets and the icing was put on the cake with a run out by George off the last ball. Itchington ran out winners by 36 runs with an excellent all round performance, well led by Ned and Harry M performing admirably behind the stumps. Both will be missed for the last couple of matches due to hols but a fantastic first season by both.

With only two matches left and only one defeat so far the lads need to keep up the good performances.