While overnight rain meant the abandonment of Barrow’s 1st XI game at Hobbs Lane on Saturday, the 2nds travelled to YMCA, where despite the poor forecast a full game was possible.
Put in to bat, Barrow lost a couple of early wickets before a fifty stand for the third wicket between Mark Gracey (26) and Bernie Forge (27), both players being particularly strong off their legs and rotating the strike well. The introduction of spin saw Bernie dance down the pitch to hit a lofted straight drive for 4 and things were looking promising, but then Gracey was bowled round his legs and Bernie followed being unable to keep out one that nipped back off the seam. Thereafter only Paul Gard (14) and Steve Allen (13) made much of a contribution as Barrow limped to 134-8 off their allocation of overs.
Barrow needed early wickets to put pressure on YMCA, but despite a few close shaves the openers put on 88 before Oscar Livesey finally broke the partnership with an LBW decision against Rees who made 46. Three wickets then followed for Barrow skipper, Ellie Holdaway (3/30), who had her opposite number caught behind before taking 2 catches off her own bowling.
Melissa Owen did exceptionally well to add to the wicket tally as U13 bowling partner Leo Brace also troubled the batsmen. YMCA though had the match under control as they reached their target with 3 overs to go.