Guy Fisher’s magnificent 133, his highest score for Barrow Gurney, took the club to a memorable win in the last game of this Covid-affected season. However, the weekend had a sombre mood at Hobbs Lane following the sad news of the passing of Barrow legend Rodney Reeves.
A full tribute will be paid to Rod by the club and members in the coming days, however it goes without saying that he would have been especially proud of so many of the Barrow players who contributed with bat and ball this weekend, whom he had helped to coach and support over the last decade and more.
Guy’s incredible effort came after Bedminster had posted a seemingly impregnable 282-7 with Simon Roche also reaching a hundred for the visitors. Kian Ware was the pick of the bowlers (2/24), whilst Adam Brace (2/57) deserved better than his figures suggested. There was a wicket apiece for Daniel Tallamy and Guy himself too, but it was not a day to be a bowler with the autumn sun and a good pitch with a quick outfield, giving full value for shots.
After a minute’s silence and a round of applause for our friend and colleague, Guy started building his innings with Frank Forge (24) putting on 83 for the first wicket. Jonny Sykes injected some impetus with a quick 22 (with 2 sixes), but it was Kian Ware’s 51 off 29 balls with 3 sixes which got Barrow onto the right scoring rate. Guy, who maturely had been content to play second fiddle, then was joined by twin brother Mark and they both set about the Bedminster attack with shots all around the wicket.
Guy reached his hundred but the game was still in the balance, but the job was almost done when he fell for 133 (109 balls, 14 4s, 6 6s) leaving Mark to hit the winning runs with a straight six.
On Saturday Barrow suffered a narrow loss against the returning Charlton Super Kings.
Batting first on a chilly but bright autumn day Bernie Forge (45) and James Riley (51 retired) put on 100 for the first wicket with some impressive shot-making. Ellie Holdaway then added another half century, powerfully punishing anything loose. Pete Holdaway then treated the supporters to a couple of stylish boundaries in company with son, Ed who took the side to a par total of 227 -2 off 40 overs.
The Super Kings started briskly as Barrow struggled to contain the scoring, Frank Forge (2/32), Paul Gard (2/44) and Ed Holdaway (1/23 off 8 Overs) reined the score back until Barrow appeared to have the upper hand momentarily but the visitors then moved up a gear and took advantage of the gaps in the field to pull off a narrow win to level the series between the 2 teams at 1-1.