Category Archives: Senior Match Reports

1st XI vs Wellesbourne Match Report 17/06

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This week’s match report has been kindly provided by the unreliable Tom Perks (ed – his own words..)

The day started with the long Itchington skipper feeling very nervous as his front line batsman, unreliable Perks had not turned up. Brooks had told Perks on friday evening at the EGM to get an early night but Perks took no notice of this. He finally turned up just before the toss, stumbling out of his car and staggering up to Nick covering his night club entry stamp on his wrist, pleading to borrow some kit as he had not come prepared.
After Brooks had sorted out his off field issues he called the toss correctly and put Wellesbourne into bat.
The Wellesbourne innings got off to a strong start with some hard hitting from G Maynard (53) and continued with his brother J Maynard playing a very correct but positive 55. J Maynards knock was halted with an excellent catch on the boundary by Smith who protected the long boundary splendidly all afternoon. Once these two had fallen Wellesbourne struggled to get away from Long Itch due to a tight spell in the middle overs from Smith 10-1-42-1. After 35 overs the home team were 171-2 and were set to push on to potentially get a large score.
Then the Viking (Mitch Lowe) saw his chance to raid, even though he was injured he managed to come on and bowl a tight spell of spin at the death 5-0-32-2 along with the returning Clark 9-0-51-3 who took some vital wickets to keep Wellesbourne down to what was a manageable score of 236-7 on a good batting track.
With Long Itchington satisfied with their work, both teams tucked into a delicious Wellesbourne tea. Once James Clarke had polished off all the chip butties, Jones and Eadon strode out to begin the second half of the game.
G Maynard and C Evens opened for Wellesbourne bowling tight lines, with Maynard picking up the early wicket of Jones . The quick’s put down some sharp and aggressive deliveries, including one short ball which hit Eadon on the side of the helmet, making a cauliflower cheese out of Roger’s ear. Luckily the club Badger (Martin Clark) patched him up and Roger soldiered on.
After Alex and Roger saw off the opening bowlers, itch needed to up the ante to get back up with the required rate. Wellesbourne brought the slow bowlers on, Jacko oiled up his biceps waiting for his chance to strike. After having a look at Stephenson for a few delivers Jack came rampaging down the track, launching himself at the ball, but unluckily for him he missed it completely and was stumped…………at least he tried his best.
When Eadon fell for 39, Itch were 82-3 in the 28th over and were a long way behind the required rate. Perks and Lowe needed to try and get Itch back into the game, but Lowe chopped on early for 9. Perks and Clark tried to increase the scoring rate but both struggled to find the boundary. When Perks was caught and bowled for 39 by Jackman the score was 128-5 in the 36thover, meaning the match was all but over. Brooks came in and showed what the top order were lacking and made the game look a lot more respectable by smashing 49 not out off 27 deliveries to get Long Itchington the full batting points to finish with a score of 205-5, but in truth Wellesbourne were the better team on the day.

Long Itchington 2nd XI vs Fladbury – Home 15.06.13

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Long Itchington II’s. Vs. Fladbury – Home 15.06.13

Off the back of a dreadful performance the previous week, an Itchington side gunning to put the record straight took on what turned out to be an under strength, under par and under staffed Fladbury side.

After winning the toss Chapman asked the away side to bat first, knowing that there was the potential of rain and a smaller run chase to be had should the heavens open during the afternoon.

Skipper Chapman decided to open the bowling with himself and S. Rawbone and the pair bowled very economically up front with no breakthrough. With 12 overs gone and only 25 on the board a bowling change saw M. Rawbone join his brother and also shortly after the first wicket as opener Edwards looked to force the pace but only managed to lob a straight forward chance to Greaves off a deserving S. Rawbone.

This brought youngster Dixon to the crease and combined with the steady Prudden the pair began to up the rate slowly but surely. Either side of the drinks break saw a change of bowling seeing Aulakh steaming in from the farm end and Phillips doing the hard yards up the hill from the river end.

With the batting pair looking like they could set the home side a troublesome total, Phillips had Prudden caught by M. Rawbone playing a slightly out of character swipe which just lobbed up into the air. Even with Prudden gone the impressive Dixon was still at the crease even though Aulakh was causing him some serious difficulty but after edging behind and not walking a plethora of guilt ridden attempted slogs finally resulted in him holing out for not many more.

After that the wickets fell in something of a procession as Aulakh finished with 3 wickets and Phillips with 4 and the away side all out for 106.

A wonderful tea provided by Paula Wood was taken and Itchington had a revised target of 102 from 50 overs after a small delay during the first innings knocked a couple of overs and a few runs off the chase.

In what was a relatively nerveless reply, only 2 wickets fell as Foster fell caught and bowled to Mytton and Rawbone was caught at slip off the bowling of promising all-rounder Dixon allowing Cox & Crosthwaite to see the league leaders’ home with 8 wickets in hand and 30 overs to spare.

A much improved display but still some improvements, especially in the fielding department, are needed if the march to Division 3 is to bear fruit.

Long Itchington Performances

Batting – M.Cox 46n.o

M. Rawbone 23

Bowling – Z.Aulakh 8.5-2-15-3

B.Phillips 6-3-17-4

Long Itchington 2nd XI vs Dorridge & Hockley Heath – Home 08.06.13

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Long Itchington II’s. Vs. Dorridge & Hockley Heath – Home 08.06.13

In what was a humbling experience for an Itchington side riding high at the top of Division 4 after an impressive display against their nearest rivals Catney, D.H.H.C.C. brought them hurtling back to the deck as they inflicted a first defeat on the Home of Cricket’s 2nd XI.

After being inserted, a much changed batting line-up saw S. Rawbone and W. Grindal take centre stage. Unfortunately the impressive opener Paul proved too good for Rawbone as he got one to beat the outside edge and as Rawbone over-balanced the bails were whipped off and Itchington were 6-1 from 4 overs. C. Coop joined Grindal and the pair took the score upto 21-1 from 10 overs when the away skipper brought himself into the attack and with that the back of both afore-mentioned batsmen. With returning keeper Rogers also dismissed by the impressive Smith, Itchington found themselves in real trouble at 37-4.

From that point a really top effort from T. Crosthwaite & Greaves combined with some late order hitting helped the Home side limp up to a below par 185-8, a potentially defendable total which seemed unlikely at one stage earlier in the innings.

The reply couldn’t have started much better for the Itch as Aulakh bowled opener James with the first ball of the innings and also had No 3 Linfield chop on for 7 not long later. The only thing going against the home side at this point was the aggressive attitude of other opener Dickinson and No 4, Barker who scored a very quick 19 mainly edged and mishit off Aulakh which was keeping the Away side ahead of the run rate.

After accounting for Barker, Chapman also had Elkin bowled and with Grindal dismissing Jenkins, Dorridge were teetering at 80-5. That man Smith then arrived at the crease and combined with the now slightly more reserved Dickinson the pair saw the away side within 25 runs of victory when McKenna managed to finally break through the opener’s defence to leave a glimmer of hope for the Itch.

The experienced Adams stuck around for 8 runs and plenty of balls as they edged nearer the win, until the returning Aulakh had him bowled, it proved too little too late for the 3 trees as Captain Smith saw Dorridge home with 3 overs to spare and 3 wickets in hand.

Much congratulations must go to Dorridge as they were better in all facets of the game and a lot of improvement must be sought from all that aspire to play 2nd team cricket for Itchington as not many players came out of this game with any credit.

Fladbury next week chaps, no excuses – a win must be obtained!!!

Long Itchington Performances

Batting – T. Crosthwaite 68

M. Greaves 34n.o

Bowling – Z.Aulakh 10-1-39-3

S.Chapman 10-0-44-2

1st XI Match Report vs Exhall & Wixford – Saturday 8th June

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2013-06-08 17.39.19

The picturesque setting of Exhall and Wixford played host to the Itch’s sixth league game of the season, coming off the back off a first victory the week before.

The coin came down for returning skipper Nick Brooks and Exhall had first use of a superb track which had something for everyone all day long. Andy Wood opened up from the Titty Hill end with Martin Clark running up the pronounced slope.  It was a solid start from the Green’s as the hosts stuttered to 28-2 from the first 11, Mitch Lowe coming into the attack and taking a wicket in his first over to go with an early Clark strike.

This had brought number three Smith to the crease and for the second week running Itchington were pegged back by Southern Hemisphere influence as he played beautifully to reach 78 before a superb piece of work from Lowe at point saw him run out at what seemed to be a crucial juncture. Andy Smith bowled a superb spell straight through snaring two of the Exhall middle order, including the dangerous Carmichael for 24, with a disciplined display of line and length bowling. Handy late order contributions from Byrd, Gates and J. Simpson saw the final total stand at 235-7. Too many extras were conceded, wides being the main benefactor to the Exhall cause, from the Green’s point of view as seam bowlers struggled coming down the hill.

A lovely tea was had as both sides reflected upon the prior 45 overs – the home side feeling they may have been 15-20 runs short on what can be a free-flowing scoring ground. The Itch being relatively satisfied with their work to this point.

Slightly out of sorts Roger Eadon – who had brought along his daughter’s toy rabbit as support for the day – opened up the innings with Aaron Jones who was soon back in the hutch for 1 after being cleaned up by the lively Smith. This brought Martyn Rawbone to the crease who looked relatively untroubled before the excellent J.Simpson found a way through his gate. The third wicket also fell soon as Tom Perks could only make 4 before Kerby dislodged his off stump.

The Itch were teetering, but James Clarke strode to the wicket and looked back to his fluent best as he, along with Eadon, set about seriously chasing down the Exhall target. With drinks came a shift in the Itchington gear and both men started finding the boundary with increased regularity. However when the pint sized wicketkeeper was removed by Weston for 32 and Lowe cleaned up next ball, the battle facing the Itch to get anything from the game seemed uphill at best.

Eadon carried on his merry way playing some delightful drives, cuts and sweeps. Steve Franks and skipper Brooks both came and went looking to play positively and get the Itch close to the winning target. This brought Clark to the crease who to the surprise of everyone proceeded to stick Gates a fair distance into the next field with apparent consumate ease! The Itch were left with 37 to win from 4 overs and it was still very much game on.

In the following over Eadon brought up an imperious, chance-less ton to a fantastic ovation from both sets of players and support. It was a masterclass in how to anchor an innings from the top and a timely return to form (there has been heavy speculation that the toy rabbit is here to stay). Soon after both Eadon and Clark fell in relatively quick succession and despite a lusty blow or two from final pair Wood and Smith the game petered out and Exhall prevailed by 15 runs.

It was a great game of cricket and Itchington certainly didn’t disgrace themselves – but in the situation the Green’s find themselves in there’s only so many times you can pat yourselves on the back without taking home the 20 points to show for it. Wellesbourne away next week and another stern test of Itchington credentials no doubt.

Match scorecard - Scorecard

1st XI match report vs Kineton

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Match report provided by Alex Jack -

As the fifth Saturday of the season rolled around, the Itchington boys awoke to bright sunshine and the familiar knot of tension that always seems to accompany those biggest of games.
In contrast to the standards set by his mentor, captain Brooks was unavailable for the second week running and so young pretender Wood took the reins, tossed the coin and promptly invited fellow promotees Kineton into bat.
Skipper Wood opened up with spinner Clark and quickly had the twitchy visitors 18-3, courtesy of some bodyline bowling, a catch behind and a run out from Perks that was the very definition of athleticism, poise and composure.
From here, wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals with only Aussie Cooper able to withstand some accurate and hostile itch bowling. When the visitors’ innings finally creaked to a halt for 133 he was still standing on 82no. In truth, that could have been 182no if he could play the short ball. Oh well.
All Itch bowlers contributed with Wood and Clark taking wickets at the start and finish of the innings, bookending a fine 10 over spell from Lowe, who ripped apart the soft underbelly of the Kineton order with pace and aggression. Smith and Coop kept things tight and Itch went into tea right on top.
Or did they?
Much to the annoyance of Itchington’s tired and delicate stand in/out wicketkeeper, and opening bat, Jack, the hosts were asked to face a dicey seven over spell before they could retreat to the safety of the tea table.
So, Jack and Eadon strode to the middle amidst a cacophony of din – that can only be described as combining the most unsavoury notes of the vuvuzela, the mating call of the howler monkey and a James Clarke monologue – knowing that a solid platform would help to alleviate any butterflies and make tea that little bit tastier.
Only three balls in and disaster struck. As is typical for a man short of runs, the first mistake Eadon made would be his last as he edged to slip and departed to the chimp-like woops of the delighted Kineton fielders. Earplugs in place, Jack and Jones safely negotiated the following 6.3 overs and tea was taken with the game very much in the balance.
On their return after tea, the Itch batsmen cautiously went about reducing the deficit and made their way to 50-1 before that infamous switch got flipped and Jack was on his way back down the warren to the tune of 22.
From then on every over for the remainder of the game can be summarised as follows:
Jones facing:
Dot – dropped catch – hopeful lbw appeal – glorious four – fall over – hit a rank full toss for four
Perks facing:
Dot – dot – dot – dot – dot – dot
And so the Itch got home, two down, with Jones on a hit and miss yet positive 87no and Perks on a calculator and spreadsheet 9no.
Many thanks to Allen Hickling and messrs Malin and Mitchell for scoring and umpiring respectively.
In the end, this was a game that we had to win and we did. We are likely to come up against far stronger sides over the course of the season and we must strive to achieve the same standards in each of these games. For now though, it feels good to be out of the drop-zone. Onwards and upwards.