May 03 2009
Temple Grafton v Long Itchington 1st XI
Cotswold Hills League Div 2
Played Saturday 2nd May
Itchington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they overcame home club Grafton on Sat. The visitors had first bowl on a slightly damp green looking wicket with Tom Perks getting immediate dividend with wickets in his opening two overs including danger man Kirk.
A stand of 60 followed between Khan and Killian which was the best of the day. When Khan fell for 21 some lusty blows by Holt were snuffed out by Nick Brooks whose 4-28, combined with Martin Clark 2-10, strangled the life out of Grafton as they slipped from 103-3 to 115-9 before the last wicket pair added 16 important runs. The aggressive Killian top scored with 36 having been dropped 3 times with Itchington conceding 43 extras.
What should have been a straight forward task was made difficult by poor shot selection as Itchington slipped to 25-3 and 42-5 with only Martyn Rawbone (17) making any impression against a 4-16 spell from Joyce. Tom Cooper and Stephen Rawbone steadied the ship adding 38 but following the latter’s dismissal for 22 the ‘vessel’ looked to be on the verge of sinking at 97-9.
All rounder Nick Brooks was still in residence however and he and last man Andy Wood played positively under the pressure chipping away before Brooks drove the winning runs in the 33rd over finishing unbeaten on 32 with Itchington home by the slenderest of 1 wicket margins.
** Itchington’s second team campaign got off to a disappointing start with scheduled division 5 opponents Stratford Bards crying off on Saturday morning citing lack of numbers.**