A thrilling tie at Abbots Leigh and a close game on Sunday at Hobbs Lane made for compelling watching for the Barrow Gurney supporters. Meanwhile Jonny Sykes dominated the weekend with his batting.
Barrow Gurney First XI tied with Abbots Leigh 1st team on Saturday in a thrilling encounter. Batting first on their home ground, Abbots Leigh made 212-6 with Barrow’s Benura Umanga taking 4/39.
Barrow’s reply started slowly, and they always looked to be behind the required rate. Guy Fisher’s 31 kept the visitors in the hunt, but it was Jonny Sykes (76 not out) who began to get Barrow back in the game, helped by Premil Fernando (26) and Matt Owen (20). With 2 needed to win, Keiron Owen was run out off the penultimate ball to leave the teams tied.
At Hobbs Lane there was no such drama as Abbots Leigh 2s comfortably made light work of Barrow 2s. 243-9 being too many for Barrow to chase down despite a spirited 68 from Ali Hood. The home side fell 82 runs short, leaving the team precariously placed in B&D Division 13.
On Sunday at Hobbs Lane, Barrow gave their younger players the chance to shine against Blagdon. Although Oscar Livesey (44) top scored as the home side made 177-6, Jordan Allen made a fluent 23, Leo Brace made a stylish 15, whilst father Adam opened his shoulders to make 21 not out at the close alongside Jonny Sykes who (batting at 9) added another 23 not out to his weekend’s tally.
Blagdon lost 3 early wickets to the occasional bowling of Ben Thorne (3/29) who managed to dismiss his cousin and uncle into the bargain, whilst a catch was dropped which would have made it a four-wicket haul.
Whilst overseas player Wade rode his luck to make 58, Barrow persisted with giving their younger players the chance to impress as Melissa Owen and Seb Allen bowled 16 overs between them for only 63 runs. Oscar Livesey’s spin accounted for two Blagdon batsmen as the game moved towards a close finish but the visitors narrowly squeezed home by 2 wickets.