Under evening skies at Hobbs Lane, Barrow Gurney CC Friendly XI produced a strong display to defeat St Bonaventure’s CC Friendly XI by 25 runs in an entertaining midweek friendly.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Barrow Gurney posted an imposing 159-8 from their 20 overs, thanks to a series of aggressive contributions throughout the order. Openers Jonny Sykes and Matt Edgar gave the innings early momentum before Ben Skuse anchored proceedings superbly with a fluent unbeaten 31 retired out, striking six boundaries.
The middle overs saw the innings accelerate sharply. James Hall making his BGCC debut blasted 25 from just 12 deliveries, including a huge six, while Mark Brown added a valuable 29 from 21 balls to push the home side beyond the 150 mark.
For the visitors, M Jopling was the standout bowler, claiming 3-16 in an impressive spell that briefly checked Barrow Gurney’s momentum. Matthew Langhorne also bowled tightly, taking 2-9 from his two overs.
Chasing 160, St Bonaventure’s started brightly and raced to 50 inside six overs. T Billing struck an entertaining 16, while P Robinson cleared the ropes three times during a lively 19. The key partnership came from Robinson and M Jopling, whose aggressive 32 from 19 balls briefly threatened to swing the game in the visitors’ favour.
However, Barrow Gurney’s bowlers responded superbly in the middle overs. James Hall turned the tide with an excellent all-round performance, claiming 2-7, including the crucial wicket of Jopling. Mark Brown then chipped in with 2-10 with some floaty stuff, while Phil Taylor removed both opening batters to leave the chase wobbling.
Despite late resistance from Josh Wright and A Burford, St Bonaventure’s lost wickets regularly and were eventually bowled out for 134 in 18.5 overs. Ben Skuse wrapped up the innings dramatically with two wickets in five balls at the death.
Barrow Gurney’s fielding and depth ultimately proved decisive in a match played in excellent spirit, with Hall’s explosive cameo and economical bowling earning him strong claims for player of the match honours.