Long Itchington Cricket Club

Played Saturday 30th August

Cotswold Hills League – Division 2

Itchington’s good run came to an end, tasting their only defeat of the second half, meaning that hosts Staff ended up as champions.
After losing the toss and predictably being inserted on a damp, low pitch the mostly young visitors were unable to post enough runs against the experienced home bowlers. At 18-2 off 12 overs Itchington were in trouble but a 52 run stand in 16 overs from Martyn Rawbone and Alex Jack provided a launch pad which wasn’t built upon.
Rawbone was out for 38 and Jack 30 as the total slumped to 89-6. Only a competent 23 from Tom Cooper extended the innings to 125-9 with 4 of the 5 home strong attack sharing the wickets.
With the pitch drying and conditions easing Itchington had an early success dismissing the dangerous Edwards at 11. Derek Reynolds joined Andy Hobbis and playing with caution combined with picking off any loose deliveries, of which there were too many, took the home side within touching distance. Itchington used 9 bowlers to no effect apart from Reynolds’ dismissal for 39 with the scores level and Hobbis saw Staff home by 8 wickets with an unbeaten 66 in the 40th over.

Played Saturday 28th June

Cotswold Hills League – Division 2

Itchington continued their struggles at the bottom of the table with a disappointing defeat to promotion chasing Warwick County Council Staff. Continue Reading »

Played Saturday, August 25th 2007

Match Sponsored by The Harvester Inn

Itchington finished their home campaign with a disappointing defeat and ended their faint hopes of promotion in the process.

After electing to bat the home side lost an early wicket with 11 on the board in the 4th over. Aaron Jones joined Martyn Rawbone and against accurate bowling they struggled to get the ball away. Rawbone was out for 26 at 66 and the middle order perished trying to accelerate. Jones was 5th out for a very patient 38 and at 104-7, Singh 4-21, LI were in trouble. Late double figure contributions from Brian Phillips and Richard Cressey steadied the ship and took the final total to 141-9 with Gardener and Webster both producing 2-25 returns.

In reply, and despite a flurry of boundaries from Singh in his 30, Staff were never comfortable against the home attack particularly Martin Clark and Stephen Rawbone.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and when Rattan was 6th out for 18 at 98-6 the game was still in the balance. Several difficult chances were then missed as Duncan Gardener (43 n.o.) played very sensibly and mixed careful defence with some big hits as 37 were added and Staff eventually got home by 3 wickets in a good competitive game of cricket.

Played Saturday, June 23rd 2007

Unfortunately the 1st XI’s game fell victim to the weather allowing Leamington to make up ground and join the 1st’s at the top of the table on 115 points.