Rowington Cricket Club

Rowington v Kineton

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 16:30:44 +0100

Too Good To Go Down! I Don't Think So!

With 4 teams in the mix for one relegation spot this was always going to be one of the most important games of the season. The toss went as usual, with Rowington losing the toss and being asked to bat. Skipper Rogers was not upset as he would have chosen to bat in an attempt to build pressure by posting a large score.

Haywood and Smith started in a solid manner and put on a steady 32 off the first nine overs. Haywood went for 9 and Jefferson was lucky not to follow first ball with a very close lbw appeal. Smith battled on to the twenty third over making 42 and Jefferson's second knock ended in the twenty ninth over for a fine 45. Cross played his usual game, getting another red inker and a stylish 62. Rowington finished 20 to 30 runs short of the total the skipper wanted - 268 for 3 off 45 overs. Also batted Rogers 87 not out off 45 balls.

In reply Rowington lacked the cutting edge and variation to trouble the Kineton batting line out, who ticked along at five and six runs an over, every over. The Kineton skipper, Millard, went on to make an excellent 104 and, with Doly making a composed 51 not out and the young Adam making 25 not out, they cruised to their target with 2 overs to spare. It was definitely a day for the batsmen and Kineton proved stronger in that department.

With the other results going against Rowington for the second week running they now look favourite for the drop into division two. Let's hope the parachute payments from the television rights are enough to prevent a cull of the overpaid playing staff currently pulling on a Rowington shirt!

Scott Rogers

Rowington v Alcester and Ragley

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 22:16:37 +0100

R is for Regret

On a sweltering afternoon no one was surprised when Scott lost the toss and the Rs were asked to boil, sorry bowl. After an explosive start from the Alcester openers, Eike Gilbert and Scott Rogers soon found their length and, in his first spell, Elmer turned into Scrooge and Scott's figures read 7-5-5-2 (including a four off his first ball). Lee and Strain continued to attack and reached 91 before Danny Chinn snared Lee caught by Leon Clarke. The ever youthful Leon then produced 10 overs of fine line and length and was unlucky not to have a couple of decisions go his way, but 10-2-25-0 was keeping the score in check. Gary Strain continued to compile a steady 73 but a returning Eike had him caught behind. Wickets then started to fall but the runs were still amassing, greatly aided by a below par performance in the field with too many easy runs being given way. Alcester reached 248-9 but, with a quick outfield and the Rs strong batting line up, a win was very much obtainable.

Rowington bowling figures – Eike 10-1-quite a lot-3, Scott 10-5-27-3, Leon 10-2-25-0, Danny 10-0-alot-2, Billy 5-0-26-0.

After last week's batting performance Alex Smith and Clive Haywood opened again and looked solid, steadily picking up runs. With a strong batting line up behind them they started to up the pace and put on 98 for the second week running before Clive decided that his new holiday haircut was being ruined by his helmet, walked past one and was stumped for 45. Alex carried on with positive intent and, despite loosing Graham Sly and Simon Cross cheaply, hit two fine straight sixes to prove to the skipper which toilet he should be using. The run rate, however, was starting to creep upwards and 100 were needed off the last 10 but with 7 wickets in hand it was still on. Alex departed for a very fine 87 and, after a few lusty swishes from Eike the affect of which was only to cool down the Alcester players as he departed for just 1, it was left to the Danny and Tommy to score 90 off the last 6. Danny got his big guns out for a rapid 23 and, with Tommy continuing his fine form of the week before, they took the score to 211 off 43 leaving 38 required from the last 2. Tommy and the manly skipper clouted 24 off the 44th over and the Alcester boys went a bit quiet and had all departed to the far extremities of the pitch. However, it was not to be as an excellent last over from Capron left the Rs short by 12 runs with Tommy finishing on an excellent 51 not out. A match which the Rs will look back on with a tinge of regret and a case of what could have been.

Clive Haywood

Rowington v Stratford Bards II

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:59:01 +0100

Tommy Guns the Rs to a win

On a glorious summer's afternoon the Bards were the visitors to Rowington and normal service was resumed when Scott promptly lost the toss and was put in to bat.

After last week's debacle the Rs' openers of Alex Smith and Clive Haywood started cautiously with only 5 runs being scored after the first 5 overs. However, they gradually upped the pace and the runs started to flow a little easier. Alex decided that he didn’t want to have drinks with everyone else so chipped one to midwicket off the bowling of Malone for 40, with the opening partnership putting on 98. Young Haywood was joined by Tommy Williams who, after being run out without facing a ball in his last match, wasted no time in ensuring he got some runs against his name. He then provided a master class in despatching anything slightly loose and quickly overtook the stylish Haywood. Tommy deservedly reached a fine century hitting 20 fours and a large total looked on the cards. Despite the skipper coming out to question the gender of both batsmen for failing to hit a six, the elegant Haywood also eventually crawled to a hundred. With a few proper shots along the ground (note to the skipper - you can’t get caught if you hit it along the ground) a total of 305-1 was reached with Williams unbeaten on 129 not out and Haywood 111 not out, the pair putting on 207.

After a fine tea Rowington took to the field with the bowlers fresh and raring to go. Eike Gilbert and Danny Chinn roared in and the Bards' openers survived well until a beauty from Danny removed Rathly’s off stump. Malone entered the fray and a fired up Danny bounced him out and hit wicket. At the other end Duguid was standing resolute until an ill-judged single to the ever alert Baldrick whose excellent direct hit saw him well short. After his departure the wickets started to fall with Leon Clarke bowling a tidy spell and inducing a nick behind, well taken by Naz. The skipper, feeling a bit left out, joined the party and bowled Perkins, and the returning Chinn picked up another. After his batting Tommy was feeling a bit left out of the spot light so instigated another fine run out and then was tossed the ball by the skipper; first delivery chipped in the air and, despite his legs having seized up, Haywood managed to stumble forward and take the catch. Elmer Rogers swopped ends in a bid to make his figures look a bit better and promptly bowled Paton to leave the Rs winners by 183 runs.

Bowling figures: Gilbert 10-2-35-0, Chinn 10-3-30-3, Clarke 8-4-14-1, Rogers 8.4-2-16-2, Williams 2-1-5-1.

Clive Haywood