Barrow Gurney CC First XI led by Ed Holdaway and Mark Brown produced a ruthless display of batting and bowling to overcome Chilcompton Sports CC by 181 runs.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Barrow Gurney put on a masterclass at the crease, racking up a mammoth 300 for 2 in their 40 overs. Despite the early loss of Sam Mitchell, The foundation of their innings was a colossal second-wicket partnership between Ed Holdaway and Mark Brown, who both scored sensational centuries. Holdaway finished unbeaten on 129, while Brown matched him exactly with 129 runs of his own before being dismissed going for another 6 with the score on 281. Their 267-run stand (belived to be a Barrow Gurney record) effectively batted Chilcompton out of the game. The period after drinks was especially brutal as 210 runs were scored.
In response, Chilcompton got through 8 overs without loss. Throughout this period there were 3 tough dropped catches with Nick Heal and Mark Fisher both looking dangerous. Catching markedly improved after this point as Nick (2-40) broke through the top order before Guy Fisher (2-42) and Frank Forge (4-24) took full advantage. Despite a handful of starts—most notably from Glen Stansfield (28), Ben Futcher (21), and Daniel Rogers (21)— Chilcompton finished on 119 all out in just 29 overs. Mark Fisher taking the final wicket with a trademark slower ball.
Meanwhile at Hobbs Lane there was a thrilling contest between Barrow Gurney 2nd XI and Claverham (Yatton) 2nd XI which saw the visitors narrowly clinch victory by 5 runs in a high-scoring affair in the Bristol & District Cricket Association Eighth Division West.
Having won the toss and electing to bat, Claverham got off to a shaky start, losing their top three batters within the first 10 overs to an inspired spell from Kieran Owen, who finished with excellent figures of 5 for 41. 4 of those wickets were caught behind by wicketkeeper Fergus Skinner. A blistering 90 from skipper Chris Willey and a quickfire 53 from Alex Cook revived the innings, propelling Claverham to an above par score of 250-9 from their allotted 40 overs.
In reply, Barrow Gurney looked well on course, with opener Will Thompson striking a fluent 48, Ellie Holdaway anchoring the innings with a patient 45 and Kieran Owen followed up his bowling heroics with a solid 38, keeping the hosts in the hunt. A late flourish from Linden Alway (36* off 28) gave Barrow a real chance, but 14 needed off the last and tight death bowling from Claverham’s seamers saw them fall agonisingly short, finishing on 245-5.