Barrow’s Oscar Livesey enjoyed taking 7 wickets over the weekend as Barrow’s teams took part in some one-sided games.
Barrow Gurney’s 1st XI had a short but sweet visit to Claverham on Saturday when they dismissed the opposition for only 75. Oscar Livesey took 3/9, skipper Paul Glazzard 2/8, James Riley 2/12 and Paul Gard 2/18.
Barrow then knocked off the runs for the loss of only one wicket to secure an important victory in the struggle to avoid relegation. Other results though did not help Barrow’s overall position and with 4 weeks to go there is still all to play for in Division 4.
At Hobbs Lane, Barrow 2nds entertained Dyrham & Hinton 2nds (although there is no longer a first team apparently). The league leaders started strongly and never looked back as a succession of batsman enjoyed the good pitch and short straight boundaries as they hit through the line often and never seemed to mishit. A lot of time searching for balls delayed proceedings as Watkins reached an accomplished century as the visitors racked up 300 in 40 overs. Will Kerswell switched from spin to seam to bowl 8 overs 1/35, although Gareth Ashley (3/59) was the main wicket-taker bowling with pace and some swing.
Barrow were never really in the game but fought hard to pick up batting points against a classy attack with Kerswell completing a good all round game by making 36 with Jordan Allen next best with 27. Barrow though were resigned to losing by a big margin and to pick up whatever bonus points came their way finishing on 155 all out.
On Sunday the 3rdXI started well against Purnells with Pete Holdaway taking a breathtaking slip catch off Jonny Sykes (2/9). Then spin twins Oscar Livesey (4/32) and Frank Forge (2/36) aided by 3 excellent catches from Ed Jones in the deep threatened to restrict Purnells to 130 or so but a good last wicket partnership took the score to 178. Barrow though found batting hard going, battling the quality opening attack on the sloping pitch and were shot out for 89.