Long Itchington Cricket Club

Cotswold Hills League Division 5
Played 23rd May 2009

On a sun drenched May afternoon, Long Itchington Second XI visited recently promoted Bidford-on-Avon Second XI. The pitch was hard and green which looked like a toss was needed to be won to insert the opposition. The home captain duly did exactly that and put long Itchington in to take first knock.

Foster and Smith opened the innings and quickly built a good looking stand with Foster retuning from injury looking confident and in-form. With the score on 51 Smith chased a wide delivery and was dismissed for 31 made up of 6 x 4’s and 1 x 6.

Rogers joined Foster and moved the score to 80 when Rogers was again caught at slip for 25. Franks at number 4 made 22 before Crump joined Foster and rolling back the years made a very good 29.

Foster meanwhile had departed for a very accomplished 63 and the Itchington innings were nearing 200. Crosthwaite played a delightful cameo innings of 19 and further good batting by Parsons, 22 runs in 12 balls, brought the 45 overs to an end with Itchington having scored a mammoth 240.

Bidford began their reply similarly to Long Itchington with the first wicket falling at 50 to Buchholz who bowled his 10 overs straight through taking 3 for 42.

Tom Crosthwaite replaced him eventually taking 3 for 62 off his 10 overs. He was assisted by some excellent catches including one champagne moment by Crump who hung onto a towering shot by a Bidford batsman.

The game swung to and fro when at the start of the last over Bidford needed 7 to win. Andy Smith showing maturity beyond his years, was the bowler and off the last ball Bidford needed 4, they scored a 2 which left them 1 short of the required target of 240 and a well earned 19 points were gained by Long Itchington.

In conclusion all eleven Long Itchington players played their hearts out and did everything the Captain asked of them. All players young and old will have learnt valuable lessons in playing such a high scoring close game in backing and believing in themselves, with the challenge ahead to remain top of division 5.

Long Itchington 2nd X1 240 for 7, Bidford on Avon 2nd XI 239-9.
Long Itchington won by 1 run.

Long Itchington 19 points, Bidford on Avon 8 points

Cotswold Hills League Division 5
Played 16th May 2009

Long Itchington Second II met on a dull, windy, rain-threatened Saturday afternoon at Whitehall Farm. The ground looked in excellent condition thanks to the hard work of the LI grounds men who had strived to ensure the game could go ahead after a wet week.

Catney arrived and the two captains eagerly awaited the spin of the coin both desperate to ask the opposition to take the first knock on a real ‘sticky dog’ of a wicket. Eddie, the Catney Captain smiled as the coin landed on tails ‘you can bat’ he gleefully said. Smith and Insall opened the Itchington innings and put on a stand of 43 in 11 overs with the ball spitting like a cobra on an Indian afternoon.

Fogarty the home umpire had to make a crucial decision of giving the in-form Insall out caught behind for 17. Rogers quickly followed caught brilliantly at slip before he had opened his account. Phillips at 4 mixed cautious and swashbuckling shots, including a huge 6 over point, to get to 34 at a run per ball before a bizarre injury to an upper arm muscle had him retire injured. A rain storm hit the game and 8 overs were lost from the second innings of the match.

On resumption Franks played a short cameo innings before being out with the score on 113 for 3. Smith carried on in an uncharacteristically patient way on the damp wicket making 39 in 95 balls before he was out in the 32nd over. Buchholz then took up the mantle and when the innings closed at 161 for 7 he was not out for 20 which would prove to be a crucial knock to the outcome of the game.

Catney, chasing a revised target of 133 in 37 overs to win, started abysmally and was soon in real trouble at 24 for 6. The game looked to be won easily by Long Itchington the bowlers and fielders were strutting their wares magnificently when a mini revival, lead by the Catney Captain, took them to 53 for 7 then 60 for 8 with Buchholz returning figures of 10 overs, 4 maidens, 4 for 20 and Hudson 10 overs 2 maidens, 4 for 43.

Catney players had rung wives and girlfriends to get themselves ready to be taken out for an early supper, however cricket is a funny game, with its twists and turns, suddenly Long Itchington had their backs to the wall. The young number 10 for Catney, Hancock, started to play some well judged shots to all parts of the ground to put Long Itchington to the sword. The home captain changed bowlers frequently and to help save the day found an ally in Franks’ left arm seam bowling who had Hancock well caught by Smith at mid wicket for 30, with only 19 needed for victory the innings closed at 114 all out, Franks finishing with 2 for 13.

Long Itchington claimed 20 points to Catney’s 4 and recorded their 3rd straight win of the season to date. The game was played in good sprit by both sides, the discipline that Long Itchington players need to learn when putting in a challenge for promotion is to reduce the number of extras, 24 wides were recorded against Catney which could have been the difference between the two sides in a close fought encounter.

Long Itchington 2nd X1 161 for 7, Catherine-de-Barnes 114 all out.

LI 20 points, Catherine-de-Barnes 4

Cotswold Hills League Division 5
Played 9th May 2009

On a cloudy, breezy two sweater day, Long Itchington Second II set off to Alvechurch for their first league game for the season, arriving early to view a rather sadly tired ground harbouring memories of a bygone age. The Alvechurch captain forfeited the toss and Long Itchington had no hesitation in asking the home side to take first knock on a green, damp wicket. Mirroring the previous season’s encounter the home openers played warily on a pitch with the new ball seaming off the wicket both ways. However, they were quick to punish any loose balls bowled by our spearheaded opening attack.

Overs were gently eaten up and soon 20 overs had gone with Dave Buchholz bowling a tight spell of 10 – 3 maidens, 0 for 24. He was replaced by the wily spin of ‘new boots’ Chapman. Who quickly got into his stride by getting Alvechurch opener, Powell, LBW for 32. In tandem with White, suddenly the game changed from a slow walk in the country to an energetic sprint as wickets started to tumble at a frenetic rate with some excellent attacking bowling which reaped rewards for both Chapman – 10 overs 4 maidens, 4 for 16, and White – 10 overs, 1 maiden 4 for 31. This form was helped along by excellent catching from Insall, Greaves and Hudson. The final pair of Alvechurch batsmen added 29 for the last wicket before that man Chapman popped up and ran out home skipper Hayward for 20 with an excellent throw ending the Alvechurch innings on 132.

Tea was taken and new skipper Smith walked nervously around the pavilion giving suggestions to key batsmen, George ‘the cap’ Insall listened intently whilst chewing on another cheese sandwich saying ‘don’t worry Nige’ worry not indeed Long Itchington started similarly to their opponents. Runs were hard to come by with wickets falling at regular intervals. With only Franks – 19 – and Insall – 59 no – reaching double figures to get to the wining total of 133 for 6 with 6 overs still remaining and a well achieved 19 points.

In conclusion this was a hard earned win, played in good spirit, with a good fielding display, all balls chased and all catches caught. In summary, excellent bowling by all of the bowlers and some snippets of steady batting to build on for future matches.

Alvechurch 3rd XI 132 all out, Long Itchington 2nd X1 133 for 6.
Long Itchington won by 4 wickets.

LI 19 points, Alvechurch 5