A magnificent 85 from Ben Skuse helped Barrow Gurney Second XI chalk up their first win of the season on Saturday.
Facing Oldfield Park at Hobbs Lane, the visitors batted first and got off to a quick start as Shalin Pather raced to 63 off 55 balls before Skuse held a good catch at wide mid on to remove him. Adam Brace, who was bowling at the time then went on to bowl a great spell from the Rod’s Viewpoint End, clean bowling numbers 3 and 5 and adding a fourth thanks to a sharp legside catch by Peter Rooney. Brace’s figures of 4 for 16, were complemented at the other end by Paul Gard who bowled well for his 2 for 22. With Oldfield Park set to bat the overs, Peter Rooney shed the wicket keeping pads and came on to whittle out 2 more batsmen in only 2 overs with Ellie Holdaway bowling the visitor’s captain to restrain the score to 219-9 in 40 overs.
Ben Skuse batting against Oldfield Park
The reliable opening partnership of Skuse and Holdaway then fired once more as both took advantage of any short or wide bowling and were looking comfortable with the score on 92 before one popped of a length and Holdaway was caught and bowled for 42. Skuse continued to keep up the required tempo and despite losing Mark Forge (10) on 124 and Mark Gracey (16) on 157, he remained at the crease until Barrow had passed 200. Having reached a personal score of 85, Skuse walked after a fine edge to the keeper to leave Paul Gard (23 not out) to see the team home with 3 overs to spare. It was a much needed first win for the team.
Ben Skuse acknowledges the applause after making a fine 85
Away at Winterbourne however the First XI went down to their third successive defeat. With captain Connor Jones ruled out for 4 to 6 weeks with injury, Jason Cryans took the helm of a team again weakened by availability issues. Bowling first Ed Holdaway and Jonny Sykes took early wickets before another excellent spell of leg-spin bowling from Guy Fisher (2 for 26 off 8 Overs). But the middle order of Winterbourne’s A team pushed the total along thanks to half centuries from Nick Shine and James Labushagne. As the end of the innings approached Barrow took further wickets but they came expensively as Kieran Owen struck with 3/62 and Mike York took the final wicket that fell. For the third week running, Barrow found themselves chasing a large total, this time 269-8.
Losing Owen and Cryans early in the run chase set Barrow back and thereafter several batsmen got in but did not really go on to play the decisive innings. Mark Brown (31), Josh Yelland (23), Ed Holdaway (42) all made useful contributions but at 143-7 the target looked far off. Ben Hodges then found good support from Sam Mitchell (11) and Bernie Forge (21 not out) to achieve full batting points and give Barrow an outside chance of victory. But when Hodges fell for 54, Barrow were soon bowled out for 236.