Long Itchington Cricket Club

Played Saturday, August 11th 2007

Itchington came out on top in a high scoring encounter against first time visitors Twyning on Saturday.

The home side had first use of a belter of a batting track and opened with a first wicket partnership of 62 before Martyn Rawbone was dismissed for 33 in the 13th over. Fellow opener Graham Foster and Alex Jack added value with a stand of 111 before Foster was dismissed in the 31st over for 51. Jack followed shortly after for 73.

After a minor blip the experienced duo of Stephen Rawbone (30 n.o.) and Brian Phillips (17 n.o.) boosted the score by 45 in 6 overs to a final 261-6 which seemed an insurmountable total. Brooks avoided the battering with 2-42.

Twyning were not overawed however and opened up with a flurry of boundaries before losing a wicket at 42 in the 9th over. Powerful opener McVicker was 2nd out for 59 at 106 in the 20th. When Teal was 4th out for 41 the game appeared over but skipper Goodwin (53) and no 6 Allen (37) had other ideas. They launched an onslaught which took the visitors within touching distance but ultimately ended up 9 runs short in a great game of cricket. Steve Rawbone finished a good personal match with creditable figures of 2-46.

Played Saturday, June 9th 2007

Itchington battled well in the face of adversity on Saturday but ultimately came up short.

Arriving for their first ever game at the well appointed Twyning ground with a depleted bowling attack they lost a player immediately prior to the start of the game and after losing the toss appeared to be in for an afternoon of leather chasing.

An eventful first over saw chances to dismiss both openers not taken. The top six batsmen all got to double figures as they liked to put bat to ball but the visitors came back into the match after 49-0 had been posted in 8th over.

Martin Clark 2-34 and Will Grindal 1-23 bowled well despite 35 from S Goodwin, and 25 apiece from McVicker and skipper M Goodwin. At 153-6 off 39 overs, with Martyn Rawbone taking 2-29, the home side escaped via a quickfire 22 from Coates although Richard Cressey proceeded to take 3-1 see a rapid decline to 187 all out in the 44th over.

In reply Itchington got off to a solid start before losing their first wicket at 41 in the 15th over. However some tight bowling by M Goodwin (1-17 off 10) aided by some poor shot selection enabled Walker to take 5-46 as Itchington slumped to 90-6, George Insall 35, by the 29th over.

James Clarke was joined by Martyn Rawbone as 37 was added in controlled fashion before the returning Coates took 3-9 (all lbw) including Clarke for an excellent 48 and Rawbone 18. The last pair took the total to 167 before the game was brought to its conclusion with 4 overs still remaining.