Barrow Gurney’s playing season ended in September. The traditional double wicket competition was organised, as ever, by Mick Hardy, and 8 teams competed against each other scoring points for runs, wickets, catches and run outs and, of course, the first ball challenge which saw Ali Hood required to duck under the ball whatever was delivered. Unfortunately for him the ball was a half volley but it was a wonderful sight to behold!
The winners of the competition were Paul Glazzard (a regular winner) but this year with a new and young partner in James Halladay. The day also featured a family barbecue with the presentation of the junior section awards. A good number of families and supporters gathered to congratulate the winners:
Under 11
Player of the Year Jack Pitman
Most Improved Player Sarah Halladay
Under 13
Player of the Year Melissa Owen
Most Improved Player Isaac Todman
Under 15
Player of the Year Guy Fisher
Most Improved Player Kieran Owen
Special Award Jake Nifton
The coaches of the Under 11 side (James Riley) and the Under 13 side (Pete Holdaway) spoke about the great commitment and promise of young sides who were up against older and more experience opposition and how they showed potential for the future.
Lee Bryant (coach of the Under 15s) recounted a really successful season for the team who finished second in the league beating traditional rivals along the way. Apart from the deserved award winners he also highlighted Jackson Bryant whose efforts with bat and ball were key to the team’s success and Bernie Forge who topped the batting averages and kept wicket. Also there were many new players to cricket who contributed massively to the overall success of the team and have much to offer if they decide to play adult cricket at Barrow.
The final game of the season took place at Barrow under cloudy skies and was a game featuring a mixture of 1st team, 2nd team, friendly team and junior players. In a “Test Match in a Day” – a two innings game of 18 overs a side, James Riley’s team beat Mark Forge’s team, pitting siblings, parents and children against each other, before we prepared to hunker down for a winter doing other things as well as looking forward to next year.