Barrow Gurney 1st XI completed the double over promotion hopefuls Bath 4ths in B&D Division 5 with a superb display of bowling at the Brownsword Ground on Saturday.
Put into bat, Bath were up against it from the off with Mark Fisher (2/21) taking a couple of early wickets and Jonny Sykes (1/15) picking up another. Then “spin twins” Hashan Mudiyanselage (3/12) and skipper Frank Forge (3/18) ripped through the Bath batting line up dismissing them for only 89 with the aid of some brilliant fielding. Kian Ware took 2 good catches, Jonny Sykes 3 more and Bernie Forge held two behind the stumps. Benura Umanga also executed an important run out.
After losing a wicket off the first ball of the innings, Bernie Forge (13) and Sam Turner (13) steadied the innings although both fell before Barrow reached their target; and with Benura Umanga also falling on 13, it fell to Guy Fisher (12 not out) and Jonny Sykes (15 not out) to take Barrow to a 5 wicket victory, Guy hitting an enormous six to end the game.
Many of the team had time to return to Hobbs Lane to watch an exciting end to the 2nd XI game against old rivals Patchway 2nds. Charlie Joyner (88) had helped Patchway to 176-3, a total that is well below a par score at Barrow’s quick scoring ground. However, the early loss of Ali Hood without scoring dealt Barrow a blow before Roger Finnimore (61) and Pete Holdaway (21) put on a 76 run partnership at the rate needed to overhaul the visitors’ total. When Pete departed, wickets kept falling as Barrow continued to keep up with the rate and with only 3 needed off the last 4 balls, captain Mike Lilley was bowled to leave the team with another agonising defeat.
On Sunday, Bristol Bangladeshis batted well at Hobbs Lane for 197 despite some good bowling from Paul Gard (3/37), Guy Fisher (3/41) and Craig Jones (2/38), they were backed up by some good fielding including 3 catches and 2 stumpings for wicket keeper Jordan Allen and a diving one-handed catch from acting captain James Riley.
As they set out on their target, Barrow lost a couple of early wickets, but then a partnership developed between Jordan Allen and Frank Forge to take the total into 3 figures. Jordan, playing his first game this season, soon got into his stride making exactly 50 before offering a catch. Frank, having enjoyed bowling success on Saturday, took a rare chance with the bat to make his second half century for Barrow, playing some fluent shots around the wicket on his way to 76 not out and, with James Riley quickly adding 30, Barrow romped home by 6 wickets.
