Barrow Gurney’s unbeaten run in the second half of the season continued in their last league game at Hobbs Lane against St Mary Redcliffe with a dominant performance, winning by 140 runs.
Ed Holdaway opened against Redcliffe
Choosing to bat first, Barrow openers Ed Holdaway and Sam Mitchell started watchfully but then began to put pressure on the Redcliffe bowlers with some expansive hitting. Holdaway departed for 34 after a partnership of 98, but by this point Mitchell was demonstrating the form he had previously shown in the Second XI clearing the ropes several times with ease, including one of the biggest sixes ever seen at Barrow over the longest boundary into adjoining gardens. His 75 (6 fours, 5 sixes) was his highest for the First team and was the lynchpin of the innings. The scoring rate then was maintained with useful contributions from Mark Brown (26) and Jason Cryans (17), before the final onslaught from Ben Hodges (22 off 13 balls), Kieran Owen (23 off 15) and Jonny Sykes (28 off 12) took Barrow to 272-7 off their 40 overs.
Sam Mitchell in full flow on his way to an impressive 75
Barrow then used a pace/spin combination to good effect as Ed Holdaway took a couple of early wickets whilst Frank Forge (2/47) induced a couple of errors with his flight and spin. Guy Fisher (1/28), Kieran Owen (1/16) and Connor Jones (2/18) kept up the momentum as Redcliffe were unable to build a partnership of any substance. Ed Holdaway then came back to take the last 2 wickets to post excellent figures of 4/17.
The team for the final First XI match of the season
The win caps an encouraging season for the team, although a win by rivals Long Ashton, meant 4th place in Division 4, but they would have settled for that after being promoted last year. With still a youngish team and with a deeper squad than for some years the prospects look good for next season.
Enjoying the final the game were Brian Mayled, Bob Child, Paul Tye, Geoff Saunders, Pete Holdaway, Brenda Mayled and Bob Mills.
The second XI also finished 4th in their division (13) despite a disappointing batting display at Abbots Leigh. When Barrow bowled out the home side for 99, with Charlotte Huntley taking 3 for 13, Paul Gard 2 for 4, Adam Brace 2 for 14 and Leo Brace 2 for 30, it looked like it was going to be a good end to the season.
However, with 7 players falling without scoring, the efforts of Gard (31) and Linden Always (30) were not enough to achieve the modest target leaving them 15 runs adrift. The seconds await the news of the proposed reorganised and regionalised divisions next season.