Barrow Gurney CC got off to a winning start at Congresbury Seconds with a two-wicket win last Saturday. 

Opening bowlers Mark Fisher and Ed Holdaway kept things tight and Guy Fisher and Jonny Sykes also bowled well and beat the bat a few times but Congresbury moved passed 100.

It was the introduction of flighted off spin that finally made the breakthrough as Frank Forge had Ben Lewis stumped by sister Bernie for a well made 58. 

Frank Forge bowled in partnership with fellow off spinner Nick Heal and collected three more wickets with another stumping and two outfield catches (4-30-8).

Congresbury’s Ben Cherson batted supremely well throughout the 40 overs, demonstrating some lovely cover drives as he made 82 not out off a total of 184-4.

Barrow's Jason Cryans took advantage of a couple of loose deliveries and Bernie Forge steadily ticking over the scoring rate. Having reached the 50-run partnership Cryans looked to be more aggressive but was caught for 31.

Mark Brown hit a quickfire 18 before being bowled. When Bernie Forge mistimed a pull and was caught as square leg for 34. 

Barrow were on 115-3 and comfortably ahead of the rate required. Justin Andrews joined John Withers in the attack and Barrow’s middle order began to flounder as suddenly they found themselves 138-7. 

Nick Heal began to sweep the spinners well but when captain Connor Jones was bowled out, 19 was still needed with two wickets remaining. 

But Heal scored a couple of boundaries from Jonny Sykes to seal the win. This Saturday Barrow Gurney visits University Staff.

Meanwhile, Barrow Seconds were beaten by 17 runs in their opening fixture at Lansdown Thirds. 

The visitors batted first and enjoyed a strong start with Andrew Steady (52) and number three Chris Sowton (82) making the running. 

There were a couple of wickets for Linden Alway, on his Barrow debut, and one a piece for Sam Mitchell, Phil Taylor and Paul Gard but the introduction of Charlotte Huntley into the attack quickly curtailed the Lansdown run machine with accurate slow bowling (5-26-7) as Barrow were still left to chase 216.

Ben Skuse (31) and Ellie Holdaway (30) got Barrow off to a good start and then Sam Mitchell took his chance at an unfamiliar position at number three to make his first half century for Barrow before being bowled for 62. 

Three consecutive ducks in the middle of the order set the run chase back, but 21 from Alway and 17 not out from captain Peter Rooney left the team 17 short.