Summer finally arrived in Barrow Gurney, as the long-awaited cricket season started. After only a week’s notice and complicated guidelines to comply with for Covid-19 safety, the frantic efforts of volunteers were rewarded with beautiful sunshine, larger crowds than the test match and 2 good games at Hobbs Lane.
Saturday saw visitors Blagdon put on a challenging 209-8, largely thanks to a fine 87 by James Roscow, in the face of some good bowling from Ed Holdaway (2/15) and Kian Ware (2/29) and some excellent ground fielding from the Barrow team. Jonny Sykes (2/27), probably the tallest off-spinner in Somerset, won the champagne moment with a full stretch one-handed catch off his own bowling.
In reply Barrow start slowly as batters struggled to find their timing, but a swashbuckling innings of 83 including 5 sixes from Ed Holdaway brought the game just within the home side’s grasp. Young Isaac Todman joined Ed running quick ones and twos and striking a couple of glorious boundaries himself but the loss of Holdaway in the penultimate over was decisive leaving Barrow 10 short.
On Sunday Charlton Super Kings made their first ever visit to Barrow and batting first made 198, with undefeated Rajkumar’s 69 being the backbone of the innings. Kian Ware (3/14) was the pick of the bowlers whist leg-spinner Guy Fisher also bagged a couple of wickets.
Fisher then set up a good platform before falling just short of a half-century. Oscar Livesey (31) offered him support, but 3 quick wickets set Barrow back. However, with Jordan Allen (20), Ellie Holdway (21) and Bernie Forge (17 not out) all batting unusually low in the order, Barrow completed a well-managed run chase with 3 balls to spare.
