Long Itchington Cricket Club

The lads were involved in another close finish but unlike last week, lost the game (by 4 runs) to Kineton.  The match was played in great spirit and a friendly atmosphere and the match was enjoyed by supporters of both teams.  Too many dismissals (7) – everyone out except Stephen- were the key to LIs defeat.  Stephen 12 n.o.(only dismissed once all year) top scored and his partnership of 21 with Ryan took the score to 239.  Matthew opened Kineton’s innings with a maiden and his 3 overs only cost 8 runs.  James I, James R and Jamie all took wickets,whilst Stephen’s two overs cost 3 runs for 1 wicket.  Clive awarded him the man of the match. LI fielded and bowled well (despite missing star bowlers Adam and Jack) and the game was evenly poised right to the last ball.  Jamie captained the side really well. whilst Tom and James R put their bodies on the line whilst fielding. 

Well done lads – great improvement during the season. Practice on Sunday as usual.

The lads edged a contest between two evenly matched teams, to record their 3^rd win of the campaign – W3, L3, A1.  The match was played at Snittefield’s picturesque ground, in glorious weather and also in a good spirit and the two teams were a credit to the league.  Joe (9 n.o.) and Owen (3 n.o.) put on 18, followed by Jack (14 n.o.) and Adam who took the score to 237 (+19 for the pair) but then good bowling and fielding left LI at 232 after Jamie and Tom had batted.  Stephen (12 n.o.) and Ryan (5 n.o.) took the score to 260 (+28 for the pair) with some good running between the wickets.  The lads bowled really well with Adam’s three overs going for only 8 runs (despite being hit for a 6 in his 1^st over and included a maiden), Jack’s three overs cost only 1 more, whilst Joe took a wicket and was economical.  Jamie was the star bowler and took man of the match, with his 3 overs only costing 7 runs and he took two wickets in two ball.  He bowled the last over with Snitterfield needing 6 to win, 3 off the last ball, which went for a single to leave LI winners by 2 runs.  Overthrows and missed chances nearly cost LI the game, half way through Snitterfield’s innings, but the fielding improved dramatically and this contributed to LIs narrow victory.  Last league game next week against Kineton , but friendlies will be arranged for later in the season.

WCB Grizzles U11 – South Warwickshire Cricket League – LI v Stratford

LI travelled to the league leaders and gave a spirited performance against a talented Stratford team.  It will be interesting to see who wins when they play Leamington.  LI won the toss with Joe and Jamie opening against a hostile attack. They batted well before a disastrous run out and ended at minus 6.  Tom and Matthew both batted well and were only out to superb catches and ended at 0.  Jack hit some fine shots, including a four, but was out twice (again another superb catch) and so was Adam (unluckily bowled off pads) but extras gave them at total of plus four.  Stephen and Owen defended resolutely and ended on plus eight to take the score to 206.  Neither were out, with Stephen top scoring with 3 n.o. and Owen 0 n.o.  Stratford started strongly hitting the ball hard but sometimes in the air with balls just going over or falling short of the LI fielders.  Stratford had fielded and caught superbly but at times the LI fielding was a little ragged with overthrows and trying to stop the ball with feet (and missing).  Jack, Jamie and Adam were the pick of the bowlers, but partnerships of 29,35,9,36 took Stratford to 309 and a win by 103 runs.  Stephen was kept busy behind the stumps with all the wides that were bowled. Many things to work on at practice this week.  Batting was much better than fielding and bowling this week.

The lads earned a tense win over a spirited Kenilworth side to record their 2nd win of the season (won 2 lost 2). LI won the toss and elected to field and bowled extremely well. Matthew Rose in his 1st game took 2 wickets for 5 runs in 3 overs and was on a hat-trick. Adam, Jack and Tom all took wickets and there was a run out as well. After 16 overs Kenilworth totalled 223 with Harry and Cal top scoring. Adam and Jack opened steadily but lost a wicket to a run out. Joe and Jamie took the score to 210. Tom and Matthew hit some fine shots but a silly run out and a shot across the line pegged the score back to 219, leaving Stephen and Ryan to score +5 to win. Despite another dismissal, they took the score to 232 to give LI a win by 9 runs. Ryan and Joe top scored with 6n.o., with Stephen scoring 10 (net 5). Matthew took the MOM award for an excellent all round display. Well done lads another good display. This Sunday we will concentrate on running between the wickets, calling and playing straight to balls on the stumps. Bowling on the whole was generally excellent whilst fielding and backing up was much better this week.

The lads played an extremely strong Leamington side packed full of County/District players and emerged with a lot of credit. The batsmen defended stoutly against a hostile attack and only 4 wickers were lost in the 20 overs (1 an un-necessary stumping !) with the score ending on 221 – Jamie Haywood top scored with 6 n.o whilst Jack Hobbs hit his 1st four for the club. James, Adam, Stephen and Ryan all remained not out. Jack and Jamie were the pick of the bowlers with 9 and 11 coming from their 2 overs respectively. Leamington did not lose a wicket but nearly did on a couple of occasions chipping balls just short or over the LI fielders, who fielded enthusiastically – especially Stehpen who at one stage was the only fielder backing up ! This Sunday we will need to practise bowling to cut out the number of wides bowled, as well catching in the deep and backing up when the ball is returned from the outfield.