Barely mobile Barely win

After yet more rain, Bare travelled to relegation threatened Netherfield 3s. After winning a vital toss, captain snail elected to bowl and Bare got off to an incredible start with a wicket falling in the first 3 overs. Albon (1-12) with his quick swingers was proving difficult to play, especially with the perfect swinging conditions. Oz (3-10) was getting enough nip and swing to be near unplayable. M.Curren jnr (13) and Jones aided the Netherfield recovery from 0 to 37 but first change bowler, Cook got 2 quick wickets pegging Netherfield back. It was then another youngster, B.Medhurst (13) that built a good partnership with Jones (48) playing some excellent shots. It was captain golden arm, silver hair, Smith (1-8) that removed Jones with a neat caught and bowled. Netherfield then went from 80-5 to 85 all out with a typical Bare style collapse and also with tight bowling from Cook who claimed his 4th 5fer of the season (5-32). An athletic son like catch from Mr Sharman finished the innings off then we headed for an excellent Netherfield tea whilst watching the 1sts beat Chorley on the main pitch in a top of the Northern league clash and Burnley beating Chelsea in the premiership on the main screen in the bar! After a bonus pudding the wicket was drying so the Bare openers went in search of 12 points. Tight bowling from Medhurst (1-23) and Sharrocks (1-12) meant Bare's start was stuppered as one of two victims from Keeper Jones removed Bhardwaj (17). Another of Netherfield's youngsters M.Curren jnr (4-18) then ripped through Bare's middle order as Bare were 35/5. With the game in the balance, the experience of B.Smith (23) and Cook (29) weathered the storm of the Netherfield attack to put Bare on the brink of victory. A fantastic return catch from Curren jnr and with Sharrocks (1-18) removing the experienced pair on 79 & 82 it was left to Nev and Albon to take Bare over the line in 42 overs. A brilliant game that was well spectated and had a lot of promise for the future of Netherfield. There performance today didn't warrant a bottom 2 position. But for Bare, it secures second place with Ambleside winning and Holme getting a rain off 6 points. Next week Bare go to Kirkby Lonsdale to overturn an earlier defeat in the season. After limited sleep and a 3 hr 58 min journey to Portsmouth, that me signed off for 2 weeks, good luck next week lads :-)