Middle order collapse sees Barwell CC falter on home turf

BARWELL Cricket Club fell just short at home against Ibstock Town.

Having won the toss, the home side put Ibstock in to bat first. Strong bowling from opening bowlers Lee Skene and Guy Norris kept the score down, claiming 2 for 32 and 3 for 63, respectively.

They were well supported by Ben Betteridge, who got three wickets for 38 and Matt Welsh who finished on 1 for 21, as Ibstock were all out for 200 in the 44th over.

Barwell’s reply got off to a good start as openers Adam Stapleford-Jones and Clint Baker put on 28 for the first wicket, before StaplefordJones was caught for 13.

Despite Baker hanging in, the Barwell’s middle order collapsed leaving them in trouble with 85 for 7 after 27 overs.

Kyle Newall arrested the slump, putting on 62 before the eighth wicket fell. Baker’s innings finally ended in the 43rd over as he ran out for 55.

Newall and Welsh were able to survive the final three overs for Barwell as they ended on 153 for 9.

Barwell will hope that their improvement continues when they travel to Oakham next.

Elsewhere, a stunning bowling display from Barwell’s seconds wasn’t enough to secure an unlikely victory away to table topping Appleby Magna.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat on a damp wicket, the away side lost Adam Stradling early on before George Baker and Brad Harvey took the score to 35.

Harvey was then caught on the boundary after making 24.

With the score at 48, Barwell lost Dec Allen for 10 then Baker for 11.

With the middle order failing to cope with conditions, it was left to Curtis Baker to hit some powerful shots before he was caught behind for 20.

At tea, Barwell’s total of 75 of 41 overs didn’t look like it would be enough, however a brilliant performance from their young bowlers nearly turned the game on its head.

Sam Taylor got a brace of wickets early on to reduce Appleby to 22 for 2 off 10 overs. Kirtland took Apple- by’s score to 52 before he was out for 24, caught by Harvey off the bowling of George Rolfe.

The bowlers than reduced Appleby to 67 for 9, before Appleby’s closing batsman struck two sixes in the final over to take them to their winning total of 80 for 9 off 28 overs.

Barwell’s Curtis Baker took three wickets for 26, Dec Allen 2 for 6, George Rolfe 2 for 22, with Sam Taylor finishing on 2 for 26.

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