Long Itchington Cricket Club

Long Itchington visited Bearley on Saturday, with last week’s win giving the visitors some encouragement in what had been a below par season to date. Skipper Clark called the toss wrong, and the home side elected to bat in what were hot conditions, with a brown outfield.

If Itchington were to take anything from the afternoon, then Ross and co needed to be put under pressure from the off. Tweedy was first to go, driving upward into the covers….the first of two solid catches for the skipper…..and this opened the way for Powell to join Ross, who was looking in good form as well. When he pulled a half tracker to the leg side, he picked out Alex Jack who took an excellent catch…Itchington were in the game.

Powell was stumped for 63, D Ross made 54 and the home side reached 239 for 6 in their allotted 45 over’s. All the bowlers stuck to the task in what where hot conditions, and with last week’s chase in the mind, the visitors had every chance of chasing down the target. Cressey took 3 for 65 in his 10 overs, Clark 1-38 of his 10….with every one giving 100%

Tea was taken and the run chase was on…..Eadon nicked a wide one and was well caught by the keeper, Jack was caught trying to pull, and Perks gloved a lifting delivery behind first ball….Itchington were going backwards. Rawbone looked to carry on last week’s good form until he launched one to the boundary to pick out the sole boundary fielder…….game over at 62 for 5….and he had made 32 of them.

Insall played a conservative role from number 6, as points were now the order of the day. 5 Itchington batsmen didn’t make double figures, and a swift last pair partnership of 32 between Insall and Clark pushed the total to from 118 to 150, Insall last out making 22, the skipper not out on 18, with 4 over’s still remaining.

Castle was the pick of the Home side bowlers taking 3 for 36.

Blockley at home next week at from now on in, every point looks more and more valuable for Itchington to stay in the league. Skipper Clark got the Man of the Match award, but would have gladly swopped it for a win. Nick Brookes is out for next week as Jenny is making an honest man of him!…so changes to be made, let’s hope they are for better and not for worse.

On a hot humid night LICC won the toss and decided to bat. Openers Nathan Hooker (51* ret) and Jamie Breakwell (52*ret) set LICC off well as they totalled 140 for 4 wickets in their 20 overs, Liam Maddison took 3-25 for Oakfield. In reply Oakfield never recovered from a fine spell of 3-0-8-3 from Jack Jobling as the reached 88 for 9 wickets in 20 overs, Price top-scoring with 20 for Oakfield as LICC won by 52 runs.

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.

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.

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 !