Clint Baker is one high spot for Barwell CC in losing draw

BARWELL Cricket Club’s difficult start to the season continued with a losing draw against Egerton Park.

Barwell started brightly after winning the toss and deciding to put Egerton Park in to bat first, reducing their opponents to 39-2 off 10 overs.

The third wicket partnership of 145 between Zaheer Hussain and Tom Glover put the visitors in the driving seat, however, and took the score to 184 off 38 overs. Glover was bowled by Dec Allen for 73, before Hussain was finally out for 83 as Egerton Park closed their innings on 268-5.

Despite it being a difficult start for the bowlers, both Lee Skene and Nick Hines bowled well, conceding 38 and 42, respectively, off their allotted 12 overs.

Barwell never managed to keep up with the run rate set by Egerton, despite Clint Baker reaching 77 not out.

In support, Jack Smith who went for 26 and Sam Fisher for 19 were the best of the rest as Barwell finished on 201 for eight off their 45 overs.

Barwell earned eight points, but still slipped to the bottom of the league. The play Leicester Ivanhoe Seconds next.

Barwell Seconds didn’t fair much better, losing away to Anstey and Glenfield by eight wickets. The away side were put in to bat first and reached 36 before Sam Taylor was caught for 19. George Baker and Geoff Hines took the score to 83 before Baker was bowled for 24 with Hines reaching 36.

Josh Moore had to manage the remainder of the innings and finished on 44 not out as Barwell closed on 153-8.

In reply Anstey and Glenfied’s opener reached 83 not out as they reached the winning score of 152-2 with seven overs remaining.

Barwell did, however, progress to the next round of the Thursday Night Cup competition, beating Bedworth Seconds by 20 runs.

Batting first, Barwell recorded 145-5 off their 20 overs, with Adam Stapleford-Jones scor- ing 67 and James Swann 27.

In reply, Bedworth could only manage 125-6 with Ben Betteridge claiming 3-35 off his five overs.

At Under-17 level Barwell faced Kirby Muxloe, posting 93-3. Barwell’s total was built on an opening stand of 83 between Curtis and George Baker who scored 52 and 23 respectively. Kirby Muxloe reached their winning total of 96-6 with an over to spare. George Rolfe and Kieran Almey both grabbed a brace of wickets.