Barwell net win on Division One return
THE weeks leading up to this cricket season have been bleak to say the least. It has not looked, nor felt like winter has released us from its cold grasp.
However, in Barwell Cricket Club’s return back to Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League’s Division 1, the clouds parted, and sun shone down for their first fixture, away at Kibworth Cricket Club.
Barwell won the toss and bowled first. The wicket was surprisingly hard and dry, as it was used by Leicestershire’s 2nd XI midweek.
Despite the quality of the pitch, Barwell’s seam attack applied pressure to Kibworth’s top order. George Rolfe starred with the ball. Despite going wicketless, his nine overs went for only 12 runs.
This set the theme for the innings, as despite a counterattacking 56 (61 balls) from Oliver Price, his side never got away from Barwell as Kibworth posted a score of 19706 from their 45 overs.
Liam O’Rourke, Phil Crouch, Nick Hines, and Ade Baker, all took a wicket between them, while debutant Kyle Chamberlain finished with figures of 2-33 (9 overs).
John Fitt (50 off 79) and George Baker (32 off 66) led the Barwell reply. They seized on any poor deliveries offered to them by the Kibworth bowlers. It was a brilliant opening partnership, setting up the chase.
The partnership was broken on 88, when Baker was caught at slip off Albert Pennelli.
This brought Adam Stapleford-Jones (55 off 70) to the crease, who along with Fitt, placed Barwell in a position of growing strength.
Fitt brought up his half-century with a push into the off side. It was met with powerful applause, not just because of the innings itself, but for what it meant to a man, and a family, who have lost so much since the close of the last season.
John’s mother, Kay Fitt, sadly passed away in January. His participation in this season was in doubt, particularly at a 1st XI level. It was an emotional moment on the Barwell balcony, recognising not only his milestone, but also the adversity his family has been forced to endure in recent months.
Despite the position of authority Barwell had found themselves in, once Fitt departed, wickets were lost at regular intervals. The skipper, Jack Smith, came and went, but not before leaving a significant dent in the runs required, with two towering sixes.
The game was taken to the final over, with two runs required. An unfortunate mixup, leading to a runout, meant Rolfe was tasked with finishing off the job, which he did in style. He neatly tucked the ball off his hip, and it ran away towards the boundary to give Barwell a two wicket win.
The closing note in the fixture was sang by the bowler who had earlier set up the game.
The club would like to dedicate the performance to Kay Fitt. She was a loving, kind, and caring individual, but also a pillar of the community. She is missed by all at Barwell CC.
• Elsewhere, Barwell CC’s 2nd XI lost at home to County Officers CC by 50 runs. Kyle Newall took 5-24.
Barwell’s Sunday XI pulled off a remarkable victory to beat Charnwood Casuals by 15 runs. Tom Middleton top scored for Barwell with 80.
Next weekend, the 1st XI face Electricity Sports at Kirkby Road, the 2nd XI are away to Maher CC 2nd XI, while the Sunday XI face Broomleys away from home.