A large crowd gathered at Hobbs Lane to watch Barrow’s Under 15s play Bedminster in the semi-final of the Harry Secombe Cup. Parents, First and Second Team players and members from both clubs meant a packed car park and a great atmosphere for the game.
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Bedminster batted first and Jones and Tryfonos took the score to 19 before Mark Fisher (1 for 26) bowled Tryfonos. When Jones (21) and Belcher (18) both fell to keeper-turned-bowler Jackson Bryant (2 for 14 off his 4 overs), leaving the score 56-3 it seemed Barrow had a good chance of pressing home their advantage, but Bedminster’s middle and lower order all contributed runs and at increasing pace, despite the efforts of Louis Bocock-Grace (2 for 17) and a well-deserved late wicket for Fraser Thomas (1 for 26).
Bedminster’s total of 124 for 6 off their 20 overs was about par for the quick scoring Barrow ground, but Barrow were always going to have to bat well and preserve wickets with an inexperienced lower order if they were to challenge.
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From the outset the field was well-set and designed to prevent the boundary. Opening pair Bernie Forge and Guy Fisher started sensibly picking up the singles on offer against a quick opening attack. Guy hit one of his trademark 6s over straightish long on whilst Bernie dealt with some short pitched bowling with several pull shots without finding the boundary. Guy fell for 13 with the score at 21 and Jackson then picked up the tempo with several off side shots using the pace of the quicker bowlers. When Jackson fell for 19 at 60-2 Barrow were ahead on the comparative score. But then skipper Kieran Owen went LBW without scoring, and wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Bernie was stumped for 19 trying to force the pace, one of 2 stumpings by the Bedminster keeper Belcher (who also took a good catch), by which time the score had only moved on to 71-6. Despite some fine shots through the off side by Elliot Matthews (11) the innings folded and Barrow were all out for 87.
Bedminster now meet Congresbury in the final.