Barrow Gurney First XI maintained their 100% record in the league with a win off the penultimate ball away at Bristol Sri Lankans.
Bowling first Barrow’s bowling attack was put under pressure by some positive batting, Jonny Sykes (1/29) bowled a good opening spell, Matt Owen also deserved better than his 2/43 figures. Frank Forge (2/44) removed a couple of dangerous middle order players before Mark Fisher returned with 2/50. However the home side had amassed a challenging 238 -7.
Barrow’s opening partnership flourished and laid a solid foundation from which to attack the target. Jason Cryans (83) began to up the scoring rate having reached his half century with 3 big sixes, whilst Ellie Holdaway (43) rotated the strike well. Having put on 143 there was a sudden rush of 6 wickets falling with only 17 being added to the score. Mark Fisher then took centre stage scoring fluently finding some support from Matt Owen (10) before being joined by his captain with 8 down and 35 needed. With overs running out Fisher and Frank Forge went on the attack with Fisher (44 not out) hitting over extra cover for 4 and then clearing the leg side boundary for 6. Meanwhile Forge used a combination of ramps and scoops to leave Barrow needing 2 off the last 2 balls, whereupon a more orthodox late cut to the boundary took Barrow to a thrilling win with Forge 21 not out.
Mark Fisher had a good week with both bat and ball
Earlier in the week Barrow had lost in their Bateman Cup T20 match as Dyrham & Hinton piled on 168 an followed it up with accurate bowling. Mark Fisher again had an outstanding game with 5 overs 1 for only 12 amongst the big hitting of the home side, there were wickets again for Frank Forge (3/43), Matt Owen (2/34) and Connor Jones (1/54). Mark Brown (30) started well and Bernie Forge (39 not out) mixed quick singles with a couple of leg side boundaries, but with Barrow behind the rate Mark Fisher (23) gave the team a glimmer of hope but they fell 38 short.
Barrow 2s started strongly against Coalpit Heath 3s with Charlotte Huntley, on her debut, taking 3 early wickets (3/37 in all). At one point Coalpit were 111-6 but they recovered to score 200 all out. Part time bowler Ben Skuse took 2/25 towards the end.
When Barrow came to bat only Jordan Allen (36) and Mark Gracey (67) put up much resistance although the team batted the full 40 overs for 162-7.
Next week Barrow faces a double header with the teams playing Pucklechurch 1sts and 2nds.