The Sunday XI arrived at the picturesque Allerton ground looking forward to another good game against an Axbridge side which triumphed at Hobbs Lane earlier in the season.
Winning the toss captain Mark Forge decided to bowl first in the muggy overcast conditions, with the forecast that the sun was to break through after tea (of which more later!).
Taking the new ball the Owens, Kieran and Steve, bowled well with Kieran taking an early wicket aided by Rod Reeves with a decisive call and catch at mid off. The dangerman Packham scored freely surviving an outside edge, which Bernie Forge got a fingertip to, and a mishit to mid on to almost make a 50. Pick of the bowlers was James Halladay who was swinging the ball prodigiously, aided perhaps by the stud marks on the ball imparted by the skipper attempting to field an earlier delivery, and finding the slope also helping his outswing. James ultimately accounted for Packham caught by Frank Forge and the Axbridge skipper, Stiles, who made 37 who was LBW. James finished with the best figures 2/28 off 7.5 overs. Oscar Livesey, although not perhaps at his best, bowled with flight and spin which troubled the middle order and he took 2/31 off his eight, he also fielded one off his own bowling for a run out. Kieran took 2/38 off 8.
Adam Brace (0/9) made his debut as a bowler and kept things tight getting some seam movement off a couple of paces but on the first ball of his fifth over he took a hard drive on the ankle off his own bowling and had to retire for treatment, son Leo thereafter providing enthusiastic cover in the field. By this stage Bernie had relinquished the gloves due to feeling dehydrated in the muggy atmosphere and brother Frank took over letting through only 2 byes in 23 overs, whilst Bernie returned to bowl a couple of overs herself.
Axbridge finished 182-7, a fair total to chase after tea.
The promised sun did not, however, arrive and as the sky darkened, and Brent Knoll disappeared ominously in the gloom, the rain started to fall. Davis had time to conclude an 8 over spell taking 1 for 4 with 5 maidens, but after 19 overs the rain was too heavy to continue. Barrow were 56 for 1, with opener Rod Reeves 15 not out and ready, in his words, to explode and advance the scoring rate towards the target, Steve Owen remained 17 not out.
Sterling work was done by Melissa Owen who acted as scorer for much of the game.
The game was played in a good, and at times jocular, spirit but that did not detract from the competitive nature of the cricket. Afterwards the Barrow captain received a kind text from the Axbridge skipper praising the spirit in which the game was played and complimenting the Barrow team for their promise. Barrow look forward to playing the fixtures again next year.