Long Itchington Cricket Club

A young (2 x U11), inexperienced (a debutant)  and short in numbers (only 9 available) LI U13s performed admirably on a cold but sunny evening at Swinford.  Batting first Rowland totalled 127 for 4 off their 18 overs (2 batsmen retiring on 25 plus 33 extras). James Ireland (1-3 off 2), James Rawbone (1-13 off) and Jnr Joyce (1-16 off 3)  were the wicket takers – the other a run out.

The lads fielded well and took their catches including one off a no-ball and fought back strongly after Rowland’s rapid start. Jack Hobbs opened the batting and hit 5 fours in his 25 retired, extras totalled 24 and LI closed on 61 for 6 off their 18 overs, with only James Rawbone not getting a bat. With the team missing 8 players (for various reasons) it was never going to be an easy task and the lads, well led by Henry Steele, stuck to their task for the whole of the match.  The missing 8 will find it hard to get back into the team.  Once again well done lads I was very proud of you last night.

Andy

On a stifling, close evening in Willoughby the u13 Cup Final was played with the threat of rain always in the air. Rugby won the toss and decided to bat but were soon in difficulties, with tight bowling and excellent fielding reducing them to 30 for 4 after 6 overs. Sam Green-Armytage took an excellent diving catch and then 2 wickets and Dan Jones a superb run out together with a steepling catch that most adults would have been proud of. The best fielding performance of the season kept the pressure on, another impressive run out by Jack Murphy and catch by Sam again aided the 2 wickets each for Henry Steele and Adam Jones that led to Rugby being allout for only 72 in 16.5 overs.  J.Moyes with 12 top-scored for Rugby particularly well-done as he batted with a runner for half his innings.

Long Itchington initially batted very steadily and were 31 for 1 after 7 overs, then Sam Green-Armytage was dismissed for 19 and then I`m afraid poor shot selection and nerves played their part as wickets fell regularly to Shivam Tank 3-9 and Kurran Barhey 2-16 and only a Man of the match performance by Jake Butler 25*(retired)  recovered Long Itchington`s innings and allowed Jack Murphy to score the winning runs with 2.1 overs remaining. Long Itchington therefore won the u13 Cup for the first time by 3 wickets and now need one more win in their remaining 2 matches to complete a League and Cup double.

On a warm but overcast evening Willoughby won the toss and invited LICC to bat. After an early wicket, Jake Butler (25* ret) and Harry Taylor (21) with help from Josh Thompson (16) saw LICC to a good 121 for 5 wickets in 20 overs, Oliver Basham taking 3-12 for Willoughby. In reply wickets tumbled steadily with only Oliver Basham (25*) and Luke Norman(14) offering much resistance in Willoughbys` 81 allout in 20 overs.Adam Jones bowled very accurately to take 2-12 in 4 overs and both Billy Bowman-Shaw and Dan Jones took out the tail with 2 wickets apiece late on, to give Long Itchington a win by 40 runs.

Another sunny evening for the u13 Cup Semi-final with Rowland Utd who won the toss and asked LICC to bat. Despite losing an early wicket to a run out, Sam Green-Armytage (25* retired) and Jake Butler (22) well assisted by Billy Bowman-Shaw (14*) helped LICC to a competative 101 for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Rowlands lost wickets regularly with Adam Jones 2-11 and Jake Butler 2-14 bowling well to restrict them to 92 for 7 wickets in 20 overs. Charlie Hawkins top-scoring with 22 for Rowlands. LICC proceed to the Cup Final at Willoughby on July 20th when they will face either Long Buckby or Rugby. All support will be most welcome !

The much re-arranged u13 Cup 1/4 final with Barby was finally played on a sunny Sunday morning. The young Barby side won the toss and asked LICC to bat, which they did very effectively amassing 153 runs for 0 wickets in 20 overs. Three batsmen had to retire Dan Jones 27*, Jake Butler 26*, and Billy Bowman-Shaw 25*in this innings.
In reply Barby were dismissed for 24 allout in 8.2 overs, Charlie Symons taking his first hat-trick in a 3 for 3 spell.So LICC go forward to the semi-final with a 129 run victory.