Countesthorpe run chase too much for brittle Barwell

A MIDDLE order collapse meant Barwell Firsts were unable to catch Countersthorpe’s total.

On winning the toss, Barwell elected to bowl first and had early success as Dec Allen and Curtis Baker got both openers out for LBWs.

Joseph Thorpe and Will Blockley got 32 and 47 respectively to steady the Countersthorpe innings before they were both out LBW to the bowling of Matt Welsh.

Kyle Newall bowled a tight spell of 1 for 26 off 12 overs, whilst Welsh claimed 4 for 48 of his 12 overs.

Allen, who bowled 3 for 52, and Baker, 2 for 51, mopped up the remaining wickets as Countersthorpe were bowled out for 179 in the 43rd over.

Barwell’s reply got off to a poor start as they lost Clint Baker for five and Dec Allen for 13 early on.

Captain Adam StaplefordJones tried to rejuvenate Barwell’s innings, but the middle order once again failed.

It was left to Adam Strading and Kyle Newall, who finished on 19 and 32 not out, but in the end Barwell fell 25 runs short as their innings closed on 154 for 7 after 47 overs.

Barwell earned 12 points from the losing draw, which may prove invaluable as their relegation battle continues.

Elsewhere, Barwell Seconds travelled to Ratby Town Seconds hoping for a rare win.

On losing the toss, Barwell were asked to bat first and got off to a flying start as Brad Harvey and George Baker put on 62 for the first wicket. Harvey was the first to depart as he was caught for 36.

Barwell then lost two quick wickets before Baker and Mark Rackyleft put on 35 for the fourth wicket, before the latter was caught on the boundary for 18.

Once Baker had fallen for 32, the Barwell batsmen struggled to score on a slow wicket and were eventually bowled out for 133 in the 44th over.

Barwell’s bowling response didn’t get off to a great start, as they were unable to make the breakthrough until the 15th over when Sam Taylor was bowled by Kirby Spencer with the score on 46.

Paul Jennings came in at number three and struck three sixes in a quick 25 before being caught by Harvey off the bowling of Ady Baker.

Despite Alex Cullen catching Dan Mcleod, Phil Cokerill’s 55 not out took Ratby to their winning total of 137 for 3 off 36 overs.

Barwell will hope for better fortune as they travel to Hathern Old this Saturday.