An unbeaten partnership of 159 between Mark Brown and Ed Holdaway was not enough to defeat a strong Uni Staff side on a batter’s wicket at Coombe Dingle.
Jason Cryans hit 63 at Uni Staff
Batting first, Barrow suffered an early reverse when Kieran Owen was run out off the first ball of the match chasing an ill-judged second run. Jason Cryans then set about building a total with a typically powerful 63 but when Barrow lost their 4th wicket the score was only on 107.
Mark Brown drives on his way to an unbeaten century
Mark Brown, back to his best after a confidence boosting midweek knock, plundered the bowling and with Ed Holdaway also batting fluently they put on 159 for the fifth wicket when the overs expired.
Ed Holdaway batted fluently in a partnership of 159 with Mark Brown
The total looked competitive on a large outfield, but several dropped catches aided the home team’s cause as they started positively and were never off the required rate. Guy Fisher induced an edge, well scooped up by keeper Bernie Forge, but when Jonny Sykes took the second (Tim Wong for 86) there was already 170 on the board and Uni Staff were cruising. Adi Munjanath (61*) and Charles Clarke (64*) sealed the victory with an over to spare.
Phil Milton after making 50 v Timsbury
At Hobbs Lane, the Seconds were put into bat. Ellie Holdaway and Ben Skuse started securely but found the opening attach hard to get away. One shy of a 50 partnership, Ellie fell to a diving catch by keeper Robbie Haigh. This stirred Ben Skuse into taking a few risks and he hit 6 boundaries before falling for 30. Sam Mitchell continued his good form with the bat, despatching a full toss over the pavilion for a massive 6, meanwhile Phil Milton, having struggled with his timing early on, joined in the fun clearing the ropes 4 times. Mitchell’s 32 and Milton’s 50 formed the backbone of the Barrow total of 204-8 although Peter Rooney chipped in with a nuggety 21 not out at the end.
Linden Alway bowling at Hobbs Lane took 2/26
Timsbury’s skipper Neil Hulford got his side off to a positive start batting with power and timing. His 43 coming off only 29 balls. Oliver Davis continued the reply with a well made 58. Good spells from Sam Mitchell (2/33) and Linden Always (2/26) pegged back the visitors but a fine unbeated 67 by Robbie Haigh took the game comfortably Timsbury’s way.
In midweek, Barrow’s new Midweek League XI won at their first attempt. Restricting Nailsea to 124-9, (Mark Fisher 2/7, Jonny Sykes 2/10, Frank Forge 2/20), Barrow won by 6 wickers with 3 overs to spare. Half centuries for Josh Yelland (54) and Mark Brown (53) made sure of the points for Barrow.