What a beautiful evening it was, which greeted the Barrow Gurney faithful on Tuesday as players, supporters and family came to enjoy the friendly T20 game against Bristol Misfits. The added attraction of a barbecue swelled the numbers and it was good to be able to welcome some supporters of the opposition too.
This year’s fixture had a little extra spice, as Peter Rooney, now a regular in Barrow’s 2nd team, donned his Misfits hat once more and played against his new club. He assured his Saturday teammates that he had not passed on any inside information of course!
Barrow captain Steve Owen lost the toss but was happy to field. He opened the bowling with his usual nagging accuracy but, son Matt took a little longer to find his range at the other end against a left/right combination. Misfits made a positive start until Ellie Holdaway came into the attack and accounted for both openers, one caught low down by Connor Jones, on his season debut for Barrow, and one courtesy of a sharp stumping by Phil Milton. When Ellie followed that up by bowling the number 3 (eventually finishing with 3/28) it looked as though Misfits might be constrained to a manageable total.
A partnership of 73 between Fitzgibbon and Martin began to take the game away from Barrow despite some accurate bowling from Adam Brace, in particular, in the middle overs. James Riley ended the partnership by bowling Fitzgibbon for 21 but Gear continued the good scoring rate making a quick 20 before the returning Matt Owen rattled his timbers. Matt took another wicket off the last ball of the innings to finish with 2/19 off four, leaving Martin 54 not out having played an excellent hand.
In reply Barrow were one down in the first over, but Phil Milton (42) and James Riley (35) put on 66 for the second wicket with Phil clearing the ropes 4 times in a superb innings. On his departure Matt relished the rare chance to bat by playing very fluently for 27 also hitting one 6 in the process. When Matt and Riley were bowled and the score being 120, there was still an outside chance but the light was fading rapidly and Ben Thorne and Steve Allen were finding it hard to locate the ball. Jonny Sykes arrived briefly to hit a characteristic lusty blow but the innings closed on 136-5 giving Misfits a 19 run win.
As all enjoyed a welcome drink and Jane Holdaway’s barbecue, the sun set on another enjoyable evening. Thank you to all who came to support.