Barnard Castle CC
FIELDING was always likely to play a significant part in a victory for Barney. The match arrived on Saturday, deserved reward for a team that has set new standards.
Two hugely impressive run outs, which turned a delicately poised game against Thornaby, were followed by another athletic piece of work that led to a rare dismissal of obstructing the field.
Together, they helped to clinch a game that might otherwise have gone against them. Having rediscovered their mojo, Barney took the last five wickets for two runs.
Barney remain fourth in the NYSD Premier Division, 21 points between them and leaders Richmondshire. It keeps alive their hopes of a third title in six years.
The team had to dig deep for what was only their fourth victory of the season. With the ball not coming on to the bat as much as it usually does on their home ground, the batsmen struggled to adapt as they might have done.
Both Owen Peddelty and James Quinn, the latter after a couple of sumptuous drives, were caught at slip. James Clarkson’s long vigil ended after a painstaking 18 from 79 balls and Samarth Seth, after demonstrating admirable restraint, was caught on the mid-wicket boundary.
Thornaby did not change their bowling for 28 overs and Barney always had to be watchful against Lewis Harper and Luke Metcalfe. The attacking options on offer were usually restricted to shots square of the wicket.
At 102 for 6 with more than 13 overs left there was work to do. With some spirit Josh Bousfield and Richard Watson did it, again demonstrating the depth of Barney’s batting. Bousfield played with great brio, hitting two sixes and always looking for runs, finding a perfect foil in the calm Watson.
Their stand of 55 from 52 balls gave Barney a total which, while not making them safe from defeat, gave Thornaby plenty to ponder. They looked to be pondering without undue interruption as John Watson and Tonius Simon played themselves in. They took the score from 10 to 72 and Barney needed a wicket quickly.
It came from a splendid pick up and throw by Rob West who hit the stumps directly from cover to leave Simon stranded short of his ground attempting a quick single. Two overs later Karl Carver moved sharply to his right, changed the ball to his left hand and left Watson floundering to regain his ground.
These were two spectacular and key interventions and Barney had the match at their mercy now. There was still the dangerous Husnain Bukhari but he was bowled round his legs by Carver.
Some smart catching and spin bowling by Watson, which perfectly suited the occasion, left Thornaby hanging on and with two wickets wanted, Bousfield displayed some razor-sharp thinking.
Bowling to Dan Crossland he swiftly retrieved a return shot and, seeing Crossland out of his crease, threw with pinpoint accuracy. Crossland, trying to regain his ground, also moved a foot in the direction of the ball to try to alter its course. After consulting, the umpires gave him out for obstructing the field. An over later it was all over.
Barney
J Clarkson c Purcifer b Metcalfe 18, O Peddelty c Seymour b Harper 5, J Quinn c Seymour b Harper 17, S Seth c Peacock b Bukhari, K Carver st Crossland b Simon 5, F Usher b Bukhari 8, R West c Crossland b Simon 5, J Bousfield c Seymour b Purcifer 34, R Watson c Crossland b Purcifer 21, T Merryweather not out 0, R Dixon c Watson b Simon 2, Extras 22 Total (49.4 overs) 168 all out
Bowling: L Harper 14-0-49-2, L Metcalfe 15-4-34-1, H Bukhari 10-1-40-2, T Simon 9.4-0-32-3, S Purcifer 1-0-5-2
Thornaby
D Seymour b Dixon 4, J Watson run out 30, T Simon run out 28, H Bukhari b Carver 33, L Harper c Merryweather b Watson 7, H Spaxman c West b Watson 8, S Purcifer c Watson b Bousfield 0, L Gettings not out 1, B Peacock lbw Carver 1, D Crossland obstructing the field 0, L Metcalfe b Bousfield 0, Extras 11, Total (46.2 overs) 123 all out
Bowling: J Bousfield 7.2-2-16-2, R Dixon 8-2-14-1, R West 5-0-22-0, F Usher 1-0—12-0, K Carver 14-5-13-2, T Merryweather 4-0-9-0, R Watson 7-0-33-2
Barney won by 45 runs
Thornaby II v Barney II
BARNEY were held to a nerve-tingling draw at Thornaby. The opposition’s last two wickets survived for seven overs between them and though Barney took the ninth wicket the last pair held on for 11 balls.
Ian Swinburn was again the star of Barney’s innings with 81 from 104 balls – sedate by his standards – including 14 fours. He and fellow veteran, a more subdued Ben Usher, put on 93 in 18 overs. When Swinburn went the innings followed quickly.
With 55 overs available in the second innings both sides had a clear chance. It was Barney who seemed have seized it, most of the bowlers making mark. But the combined efforts of Peter Stanwix and Oscar Usher at the climax were not quite enough.
Barney 168 all out (44.2 overs, I Swinburn 86, B Usher 26, D Wade 4-35). Thornaby 143-9 (W Blackwell 27, B Usher 2-19, P Stanwix 2-22, T Brooks 2-25, O Usher 1-22). Match drawn
The 100
Richmond v Barney
BARNEY played poorly and Richmond played superbly which made only one outcome possible in the opening match of the 100 competition.
Richmond 161-7 (100 balls, T Dowson 52, J Bousfield 3-23); Barney 95 all out (77 balls, J Quinn 33, K Carver 22, S Wood 4-15).
Richmond won by 66 runs
Barney v Hartlepool
HAVING played so disappointingly two days earlier, Barney redeemed themselves in style on a delightful summer evening to qualify for the 100 quarter finals.
After losing two quick wickets, they regrouped perfectly with James Quinn and Samarth Seth restoring their fortunes and Finn Usher playing a splendidly measured attacking innings which brought him 44 from 30 balls.
Hartlepool were never truly in the hunt as Barney’s bowlers and fielders combined to ensure the rate stayed well behind what was required.
Barney 120 (100 balls, F Usher 44no, J Quinn 30, K Carver 27, P Braithwaite 2-15); Hartlepool 87 all out (94 balls, T Gavin 29, P Braithwaite 26, K Carver 2-10, J Bousfield 2-13, T Merryweather 2-21).
Barney won by 33 runs
Barney III v Sedgefield III
A GLORIOUS unbeaten 161 from Theo Truss was the centrepiece of Barney III’s match on Sunday. He dominated proceedings from the start, reaching his first 50 in 34 balls, his second in 35 and his third in 30.
The team amassed a total of 302-4 from only 36 overs against Sedgefield as Truss shared partnerships of 62 for the first wicket with Andrew Gedye, 66 for the second with Daniel Watson and 78 for the third with Oscar Usher.
He finished the innings accompanied by his father Michael (making only his second appearance for Barney), putting on 87 for the fifth wicket from only 49 balls. There were 24 fours and three sixes in his second Barney hundred.
Barney left themselves 44 overs to try to bowl out their opponents but failed narrowly as Sedgefield’s batsmen also enjoyed themselves.
They scored runs and lost wickets – four of them to Truss’s leg spin – until at 203-9 Barney were favourites. But the last pair resisted for seven overs.
Barney III 302 for 4 dec (36 overs, T Truss 161no, O Usher 43, M Truss 31no, D Watson 19); Sedgefield 227 got 9 (44 overs, D Lamb 72, D Irvine 31, T Truss 4-44, O Usher 2-45).
Match drawn
