All the recent problems faced by Universities in dealing with applications amidst the predicted grades debacle, did not weigh heavily on the cricketing staff members of Bristol Uni who beat Barrow’s friendly team in a high scoring game on Saturday.
Choosing to bat first on a good batting track, the Uni Staff started well playing some imperious shots against Barrow’s opening attack although Paul Gard bowled four economical overs for 14. With the score on 76 Frank Forge made the breakthrough with a flighted delivery beating the sweep shot, but not before he had suffered a couple of well-struck shots clearing the boundary. With all the first four batsman scoring over 30, a mid-innings wobble against the new bowling style of slow-medium ‘dobbers’ from Oscar Livesey was as unexpected as his figures of 3/37! A wicket apiece for Kian Ware, Kieran Owen and Ed Holdaway did not really peg back the Staff as they finished on a challenging 289-.
In reply, Bernie Forge continued her run of form scoring freely off some brisk opening bowling. A classic straight drive and a pull through mid-wicket were the highlight as she dominated the scoring before falling on 46 to a catch off a lofted drive.
Guy Fisher (33) and Ellie Holdaway (10) kept the score moving along but the score was 103-5 when Ed Holdaway and Kian Ware came together. Some powerful hitting and a few risks took the score to 180 before Kian was stumped, and when Ed followed for a top score of 54, the game was up.
Barrow skipper, Frank Forge, treated the crowd to a couple of ramps and reverse sweeps but he was out with the score on 209.
Afterwards there was the famous Barrow night out – this year a night in as players camped (suitably socially distanced of course) on the outfield in preparation for the Double Wicket Competition on the following day.