Barrow Gurney’s Guy Fisher had a weekend to remember although all three teams lost against higher-ranked opposition.
At Hobbs Lane, the Firsts were narrowly beaten by Old Bristolian’s 2nds, the hosts recovering from the early loss of Phil Milton, with Bernie Forge (29) in partnership with Guy putting on 86. As he increased his shot-making Guy eventually fell for a well-made 66. Ellie and Ed Holdaway came together putting on a quick 60 before Ed (37) was bowled while trying to push the rate. Ellie (39) was caught on the boundary but Kian Ware (25 not out) in his usual swashbuckling style helped the score to 221-6.
In reply Mark Fisher and Kieran Owen opened the bowling with great accuracy but no luck despite finding both edges frequently. The visitors slowly accumulated a good platform before Frank Forge (1/43) struck with a quicker ball yorker. A run out courtesy of a direct hit by Mark Fisher, followed by a couple of wickets for Ed Holdaway (2/48), including opener Simpson for 54, kept the pressure up. Rob Figueiredo (1/45) bagged a skied caught and bowled, before opposition skipper Langan (43 not out) saw Old B’s home, not without some alarms, with only 2 balls to spare in a very exciting finish.
Barrow’s captain Frank Forge commented: “It was a great performance against a team two divisions higher. Speaking to their captain afterwards he said that we wouldn’t look out of place in Division 3 so there is something positive to take out of it. I thought the ground fielding especially was something that has improved from last year”.
Barrow 2s welcomed 4 senior debutants Daniel Tallamy, Oscar Todman, David Smith and Michael York in their line up against Oldfield Park at The Grove. It was the experienced players though who failed to fire as Barrow soon found themselves 11-3. Mark Gracey (32), Nick Heal (27) and new skipper Adam Brace (17) ensured at least a solitary bonus point. Meanwhile Oscar and Michael showed some dogged defence against some hostile bowling. Barrow almost managed to bat out the overs but 110 was never enough. The hosts’ Shalin Pather showed no mercy against the inexperienced attack and ensured that the game ended quickly without any of his colleagues getting in to bat.
Sunday saw Guy Fisher in the runs again, a fluent 68 forming the basis of Barrow’s 155-9 against Easton Cuttlefish. Ed Holdaway contributed another 27, and Oscar Livesey 17 but the top-order left the rest of the team a little too much to do despite a couple of clean hits from Leo Brace.
Guy was soon in the action again taking 2 catches off Steve Owen (2/16) who passed the bat on numerous occasions during his opening spell. Mike Lilley (1/30) chipped in with a useful stint and Guy was in the wickets too (1/20). With the scores level the visitors suffered a late setback with Ed Holdaway (2/7) taking 2 wickets in consecutive deliveries, but when the hat trick ball was a wide, the visitors won with 4 wickets and 7 overs to spare.