So the new look first team this week had a new look captain, with James Riley deputising for Paul Glazzard as Barrow hoped to get back to winning ways against Failand and Portbury. James won the toss and decided Barrow would have a bowl first.
Riley and Matt Owen opened up and Riley got one of the openers who nicked off early. But Barrow struggled to make further inroads. Enter Frank Forge who bowled really accurately and deserved his first 1st team wicket bowling the Failand number 3 through the gate.
Barrow’s bowlers toiled away and Sam Turner bowled a tight spell going up the hill but Barrow never really regained control of the innings. Failand and Portbury finished on 247 for 6, which was a few too many, although Barrow’s fielding as a team was much improved. James felt that the team bowled too many bad balls and only Frank (9-2-44-1) and himself (9-2-40-2) really created any pressure as bowlers.
After a lovely Sykes’ tea, Barrow set up to chase down quite a large score. Unfortunately, that was not the case and after a string of early wickets Barrow found themselves at 54 for 6 with 30 overs left in the game. Riley and Frank Forge then saved some face by putting on a 20 plus over stand. Frank was stumped on 30 after he began to walk off thinking he’d been bowled which was an unfortunate end to a good innings.
At this point the game was long gone and Barrow were looking to get as many batting points as possible. Unfortunately, they fell 3 short of 175 which would have given them another batting point. Riley was the last man out attempting a self-professed “swipe to cow corner”, ending on 67.
Barrow will be looking for some real improvement when they visit Bath 3rd XI next week.