Two generations of the Holdaway family starred in an important game against Division 14 top of the table Patchway 2nds on Saturday.
Barrow started well, winning the toss and electing to bowl due to the late rain on Saturday morning. Mike Lilley (8 overs for 18) and Nick Heal bowled accurately until openers Canton and Joyner started to get after Nick. Spinner Frank Forge came in to the attack, stemmed the runs and took two key wickets for only 24 in his 8 overs.
The wickets then came thick and fast, Oscar Livesey (2/19) picked up two more and Ellie Holdaway picked up 4 of the tail, ending with figures of 4/23.
James Halladay(1/2) finished Patchway off and they finished up 116 all out.
Pete Holdaway and Frank Forge opened up and provided a great start. Quickly scoring and looking well on track for the small total. Frank fell lbw for 14 and brought Roger Finnimore to the crease. Roger and Pete proceeded to teach a lesson in dancing down the wicket, dispatching Patchway’s spinners to all corners of the field before Roger fell to a brilliant catch by James Hillyer at gully. Mark Gracey fell victim to trying to finish things off too quickly, trying one too many expansive shots and also getting caught. Jonny Sykes ably took Barrow over the line in the 31st over depriving Pete of his 50 on the process, although it was great to see the Barrow Chairman in the runs again This was a very convincing win against top of the table which puts Barrow comfortably in second ahead of the final three games. With the game over, both teams repaired to the bar and enjoyed the spectacle of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta for which the Hobbs Lane ground offered a perfect vantage point.
Portishead have conceded on this coming Saturday so Barrow will receive the highest points scored on the day.