Long Itchington Cricket Club

Cotswold Hills League Division 5
Played 11th July 2009

The day started very wet and it was obvious to all that this would be an in and out game if it was to start at all.

Now we are into the 2nd round of matches teams are getting to know each other, players knowing players, Captains pitting their wits against each other. This was so on Saturday with Itchington claiming the toss and asking Alvechurch to bat first on a damp but good looking wicket.

White opened the bowling and soon dismissed the dangerous Brookes who shouldered arms to leave a ball which jagged back in to remove his off stump, first scalp to the home side. Smith the home captain attacked at every opportunity often having three slips and two gullies, several very good catches were taken in this area notably by Insall, A Smith and Jones but others, which on a better day may have been taken, were shelled.

Such an attacking field did allow some boundaries but the strong bowling stuck to task extremely well with good displays by all the bowlers, special mention must go to Hudson whose performance is improving weekly and his 10 overs were rewarded with 3 for 20.

A Smith 2 for 21, Franks 1 for 26, Cooper 2 for 18 and White 1 for 26 also all bowled very well.

The late order of Alvechurch wagged with Captain Haywood top scoring with 33. The innings ended on the last ball with Cooper running out the last batsman with the score on 150 all out.

Smith and Foster opened the Itchington reply but both fell cheaply to Reck. Insall and Rogers built a very good stand against accurate Alvechurch bowling.

Insall was bowled for 37 and with the rain clouds gathering the quick scoring Franks was sent in to boost the score in case Duckworth Lewis was to strike. He hit a breezy 13 in quick fire fashion and was caught brilliantly by 12 year old Clifford in the deep.

Jones was the next man in and he and the reliable Rogers got to the required target in the 39th over with Rogers 48 not out and the double secured over Alvechurch.

Alvechurch 3rd XI 150 all out, Long Itchington 2nd XI 151 for 4.
Long Itchington won by 6 wickets.

Long Itchington 2nd XI 21 points, Alvechurch 3rd XI 5 points

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

Itchington II’s 3rd game voodoo struck again as yet again they failed to stretch a winning run to 3 games. Continue Reading »

Played Saturday 10th May

Cotswold Hills League – Division 5

Itchington 2nd’s subsided to a disappointing defeat as a poor batting performance let them down. Continue Reading »