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 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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

Long Itchington II’s. Vs. Catherine-de-Barnes II’s – Away 01.06.13

With the season only into its fifth week, this had to be billed as the biggest fixture so far for both teams as they sat top and second in the table, Catney 2^nd by the virtue they had had a game abandoned, both undefeated, Catney with statistically the best league bowling attack and the Itch with statistically the best batting line-up. Something would have to give!!!

For the first time this year away skipper Chapman called incorrectly and was immediately inserted on a good looking track that was sure to have some moisture lurking given that half the ground was underwater 2/3 days previous. Massive credit must go to the Catney ground staff managing to get the whole playing area into playable condition.

New opening partnership for Itchington saw Foster partnered with Clarke, the latter looking to find some form, and find some form he did as he led the Itchington innings from beginning to end scoring a chanceless 108 not out from 138 balls.

At the start of the innings Clarke was ably supported by Foster in seeing off Catney’s impressive opening burst from Dixon and Turner, moving along at around 2 an over but setting a solid foundation. Double change as first Basnett and then Prince entered the fray, Prince accounting for Foster as he positively looked to force the innings on. This brought C. Coop to the middle and also the end of the wicket taking as the pair effortlessly edged up the run rate through to a finish of 225-1, a score which had been suggested was somewhere around par.

Tea taken, sun still shining, outfield drying up, could Itchington defend 225???

Out stepped Catney pair of Hancox and Younis facing up to the reliable opening duo of S. Rawbone and Phillips and once again reliability proved to work wonders as whilst Rawbone conceded very little from one end, Phillips tore a gaping hole in the Home side’s top order first removing Hancox and then the always dangerous Catney Skipper Gallimore with very little on the board.

A mini stand between Younis and Taylor saw the latter play some aggressive leg side shots before he too perished to the impressive Phillips for 22. Also Younis had been dismissed by change bowler Chapman in his first over leaving the hosts in a very wobbly position, a long way from reaching 226.

Wobbly soon became collapsed as only Prince showed some stout resistance finishing not out whilst all those around him fell and Catney all out for 51

A speedy recovery to be wished to both Basnett and Finnigan as both suffered injuries during the game, limiting them both, the former even having to retire hurt (drama queen!!! Not my words).

A dominant win chaps, so a massive well done is deserved in what was a faultless display, here’s to the rematch back at our place where an obviously very talented Catney side will be gunning for revenge. Let’s have it!!!

Long Itchington Performances

Batting – G.Foster 19

J.Clarke 108n.o

C.Coop 67n.o

Bowling – B.Phillips 10-3-21-4

S.Chapman 8-3-9-3

W.Grindal 4-1-8-1

S.Rawbone 7-1-12-0