A disappointing performance by Barrow Gurney 1st XI saw them lose to Pucklechurch Firsts and drop out of the automatic promotion places in Division 5 of the Bristol & District League.
Mark Fisher bowling at Pucklechurch
Pucklechurch, batting first, set out at a blistering pace with their openers putting on 48 in no time, but Mark Fisher pegged them back with an excellent spell of bowling aided by a couple of sharp catches in the field. He bowled his 8 overs straight through taking 3 for 21. At the other end though Barrow’s bowlers struggled for rhythm and bowled too many loose deliveries. Frank Forge took a wicket with his first ball but fellow spinner Guy Fisher was unlucky not to take any in a good spell. Ed Holdaway’s 3 for 26 squeezed the middle order but the home side kept the scoreboard moving to a total of 219-8.
Josh Yelland on his way to 58
In reply Barrow lost early wickets as Ellie and Ed Holdaway departed before the score had reached 14. Kieran Owen (30) then sought to rebuild the innings and batted steadily whilst Josh Yelland continued his run of good form playing some positive shots straight and through midwicket. When Owen was dismissed with the score on 90, Bernie Forge joined Yelland in a half century partnership, and Yelland soon made his own 50. Up with the required scoring rate, Barrow were then undone by some overly aggressive batting. When Yelland was caught at long on for a well-made 58, and despite Forge’s best attempts to stroke the a ball around picking up ones and twos, the lower order all aimed to play ambitious shots and were caught or bowled hitting across the line. Forge was last out for 48, leaving Barrow 26 short and ruing what might have been.
Bernie Forge tried to steer Barrow home being last out for 48.
It was a different story though at Hobbs Lane were the club’s respective second teams played off.
Barrow’s 236-7, was built on stylish innings from Ben Skuse (74) who found good support from skipper Mark Gracey (49) in a 118 run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Ben Skuse top-scored with 74 at Hobbs Lane (Library photo)
In reply Pucklechurch were going well at 86 without loss before Connor Jones struck (8 overs 2 for 17). A brilliant piece of fielding from Ben Hodges taking a one-handed catch on the boundary from a ball which seemed destined for the fields, opened the door for Paul Gard (4/36) and Phil Taylor (3/10) to run through the tail. Barrow won by 78 runs