Pre-Season Friendlies Reviewed

Match Report: Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI vs St Mary Redcliffe CC Friendly XI
Hobbs Lane, 18 April 2026

St Mary Redcliffe CC Friendly XI opened their preseason campaign with a composed six wicket victory over Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI in a low-scoring but competitive encounter at Hobbs Lane.

After winning the toss and opting to field, on a slow, green track St Mary Redcliffe made early inroads into the Barrow Gurney batting line-up, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling display. Wickets fell regularly, with Barrow Gurney struggling to build sustained partnerships. Only captain Mark Fisher offered significant resistance, anchoring the innings with a patient 40 while wickets tumbled around him.

Aside from Fisher’s effort, contributions were limited. Jordan Allen (16) and Kieran Owen (13) made brief starts, but the middle and lower order failed to capitalise. The innings eventually closed on 111 all out in 31.5 overs which probably counted for more than that in tough conditions.

In reply, St Mary Redcliffe approached the chase steadily rather than spectacularly. Despite losing four wickets along the way, they maintained control of the required run rate and avoided any major collapse. Barrow Gurney’s bowlers showed discipline and kept things tight debutant Mahi (2-11) and James Plowman (1-9) were particularly effective but the target proved to small/

St Mary Redcliffe reached 112-4 in 31 overs, sealing a comfortable win.

 

Match Report: Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI vs Blagdon CC Friendly XI
Saturday 25th April 2026, Hobbs Lane

Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI continued their pre-season campaign with a solid 26-run victory over Blagdon CC Friendly XI in an entertaining encounter at Hobbs Lane.

Having won the toss and elected to field, Blagdon initially kept things tight, with Michael Duckworth leading the way. His disciplined spell (2-15) removed both openers, Kieran Owen (20) and Jordan Allen (17), just as they were beginning to settle. At 53-2, Barrow Gurney needed a partnership—and they found one.

Captain Mark Brown (20) and Ed Holdaway steadied the innings before Holdaway took control. Retiring unbeaten on a fluent 52 from 56 balls (7 fours, 1 six), he anchored the middle overs and ensured momentum stayed with the hosts. Josh Yelland added an aggressive 27, while late contributions from Mark Fisher (15*) and Mahi (12) pushed the total to a competitive 203-6 from 40 overs. Extras played a significant role, with 32 runs conceded.

In reply, Blagdon started briskly, with Rory Stewart-Richardson smashing 19 from just 12 balls. However, early wickets halted their progress, and they struggled to build sustained partnerships. Adam Burroughs (24) and George Wills (20) offered some resistance, but regular breakthroughs kept the chase in check.

The key moment came in the middle overs, where Barrow Gurney tightened their grip. Frank Forge delivered a decisive spell, taking 3-39, while Kieran Owen chipped in with 2-36. As wickets continued to fall, Blagdon slipped from 143-7 to 149-9, effectively ending their hopes.

A late flourish from Michael Duckworth (31) and James Hatherall (24, including three sixes) briefly threatened a comeback, but the target proved just out of reach. Blagdon were eventually bowled out for 177 in 38.5 overs.

Match Report: Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI vs Leema CC Friendly XI
Sunday 26th April 2026, Hobbs Lane

Leema CC 1st XI produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI by seven wickets in an entertaining pre-season friendly at Hobbs Lane.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Leema’s bowlers quickly justified the decision with a disciplined display. Early breakthroughs kept Barrow Gurney in check, and despite a steady innings from Matt Edgar (36), the hosts struggled to build sustained momentum. At 80-4, the innings was finely poised before Samuel Mitchell counterattacked impressively.

Mitchell was the standout performer for Barrow Gurney, striking 51 from 53 balls, including four fours and two sixes. He found some support from Dave Smith (16) in a useful seventh-wicket partnership that added 50 runs, helping the total reach a competitive 170. However, regular wickets halted any late surge, with Abisanth Varapragasam (3-16) and R Ashok (2-15) leading the bowling effort, well supported by a tight all-round performance in the field.

In reply, Leema CC approached the chase with intent and confidence. Openers Ruben Alagarajah and Satheeshkumar Thiyagarajah got the innings underway briskly before the latter fell early. From there, Alagarajah (46 off 36) and Nivesh Satkunananthan took control, putting together a fluent partnership that effectively put the game beyond doubt.

Satkunananthan was the star of the match, delivering a blistering unbeaten 76 from just 36 balls, featuring six fours and seven sixes. His aggressive strokeplay ensured the required rate was never an issue, as Leema surged past 100 inside 13 overs. Even after a couple of wickets fell, the result was never in doubt.

Leema reached 171-3 in just 23.5 overs, sealing a comprehensive victory with over 12 overs to spare. Barrow Gurney’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with only Phil Taylor and David Smith managing to pick up wickets.

Overall, it was a dominant performance from Leema CC, whose combination of sharp bowling and explosive batting proved too strong. For Barrow Gurney, Mitchell’s half-century was a clear positive, but they will look for more consistency across both departments as the season approaches.