There was an end of term feeling surrounding the final league weekend as Barrow Gurney ended in style with both teams recording good wins.
The first team were away at Timsbury and decided to take part in a football shirt challenge to celebrate the end of season, and also the final match of Frank Forge’s 4 year stint as captain.
The First XI In Football Kit
Put into bat the home side raced to 50 off the first 8 overs, and it was the skipper himself coming on earlier than usual who stemmed the flow by taking a couple of quick wickets including his opposite number bowled. Finding some turn and using subtle changes in flight Forge took 4 for 39. Spin then became dominant as leg-spinner Guy Fisher took a wicket at the other end before Nick Heal replaced Forge and with his slightly quicker off-spin took 4 for 41. Timsbury were dismissed for 192.
Frank Forge taking 4/39 in his last game as captain
In reply Kieran Owen and Jason Cryans played positive but sensible cricket, punishing the bad ball and running quick ones and twos when they found the gaps. Owen dashed to 20 before Cryans had scored but it was the latter who reached his half century first. Owen was not far behind as he made his third half century in consecutive games. The partnership had yielded 120 before Cryans was stumped for 62 and then Owen was unlucky to be run out backing up for 60.
Kieran Owen and Jason Cryans congratulate each other on their hundred partnership
Barrow’s top scorer, Mark Brown (20), and Bernie Forge (22) brought the team closer to their target with few alarms before Josh Yelland (19 not out) finished the game with a six, Barrow winning by 6 wickets.
Barrow were already sure of third place in Division 5 and finished the season with 9 wins in their 14 completed games. After being presented with a momento from his team, Frank Forge reflected that the team had only really been beaten by the strength of the opposition once in the season and that the other defeats were self-inflicted and that the team holds much promise for next year,
At Hobbs Lane, Barrow seconds wanted to improve on their 8th place in Division 13 and thanks largely to Phil Milton having an outstanding game they did.
Batting first, Milton continued his run of good form with a powerful 78 including 3 maximums. Ali Hood (30), Ellie Holdaway (19) and Paul Gard (25) also made useful contributions as Barrow promised to set a good total. At 152-2, wickets began to fall and ultimately the team would have been disappointed with the final 206-9.
Phil Milton throws the ball skywards to celebrate taking the final wicket
That disappointment seemed justified as Brislington 4ths also reached 152-2 with some comfort thanks to 88 from their captain Jamie Phillips. But Milton the bowler ended his innings as he bagged 3 for 37 to expose the lower order. Sam Mitchell then bowled with some pace to rip through the line up taking 4 for 10. Appropriately though it was Milton with a bit of quick thinking who ended the game running out the non-striker as the ball whilst fielding the ball off his own bowling to the joy of his team. Barrow coming out winners by 15 runs.
So a final position of 6th left captain Peter Rooney feeling the team can achieve much more next year too.