Barrow Gurney First XI lost their unbeaten record after a batting collapse at Frenchay on Saturday.
Jason Cryans (30) and Mark Brown (29) got Barrow off to a good and positive start taking advantage of anything short or on the pads. Both fell within a matter of a few balls, but Ed Holdaway (21) and Bernie Forge (17) took Barrow to 102-2 at drinks with both playing a couple of well-timed drives. Following the break Forge was dismissed by a ball which turned sharply, and the scoring dried up with Barrow managing only 18 runs off the next 10 over and losing Holdaway in the process as well as 3 other middle order wickets.
Guy Fisher (34) tried to marshal the tail, which is often productive for the team, but ended up playing a lone hand as Barrow struggled to 155 all out.
Frank Forge bowls at Frenchay
With the pitch offering some turn, Frank Forge opened with his off spin, and after downing a sharp return catch off his second ball took 2 wickets bowling into the strong wind finishing with 2/34. Wickets for Jonny Sykes (1/29) and Matt Owen (1/26) left Frenchay in a bit of trouble at 60-4. Barrow then rung the changes seeking to take the remaining wickets, Connor Jones (1/23) striking with the score on 103 and then Ed Holdaway (1/15) on 136 but Frenchay cruised to victory with 3 overs to spart leaving Barrow ruing posting a total probably 30 runs light on the pitch conditions. Barrow remain top of Division 5 but by only a point from their nearest rivals.
Barrow players celebrate an early wicket at Frenchay
Meanwhile Barrow 2s were involved in a high scoring game at Hobbs Lane against Thornbury 4s. Batting first the visitors got off to a flying start as the opening batsman Logan Bowden (105) and Harrison Wheeler (61) piled on the runs. Eventually Barrow’s bowling attack started to make some inroads with Steve Owen (2/38), Jordan Allen (3/37) and captain Peter Rooney (3/48) being the wicket takers. Thornbury’s total of 273-8 looked unassailable but Barrow made a good attempt at chasing it.
Ben Skuse batting at Barrow
Openers Phil Milton (49) and Ben Hodges (21), returning to Barrow colours set the tone, and then Jordan Allen (54) and Ben Skuse (53) took up the chase. Debutant Sam Mitchell contributed a valuable 28 but then wickets fell as Barrow ended up only 20 short for the loss of 7 wickets, still accumulating 9 valuable points in defeat.