Barry's poor shots shift the balance (From Barry And District News)

Barry's poor shots shift the balance

THE PHRASE "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" may well have been coined for the Barry performance at the weekend.

The margin of victory for Malpas was some 60 runs and on the face of it seemed reasonably comfortable. However, it was Barry who were in control for 62 of the 92 overs played. Unfortunately just when the Malpas heads were drooping Barry started to lose wickets, all to poor shots, and the balance of the game shifted. Chasing 192 in 5 overs on the best day of the season so far, Barry's reply had raced along to 60 without loss in just 12 overs. Leake was first to go caught at mid on then his opening partner Morgan was caught at cover. What followed was something of a procession as every Barry batsman bar one was caught.

Earlier in the day Barry had put up an excellent fielding performance to restrict the hosts to 192 for 9, all four bowlers bowled tight spells with Hellyar the pick finishing with figures of 11 overs, two maidens, five wickets for 37 runs.

The ground fielding was also superb but with the Malpas batsmen chipping the ball to all parts of the ground it was not without its frustration. For the record the Malpas total was built on 52 for Byner, 46 for Collins and 43 for Morgan.

For Barry, Leake was the only player to really trouble the scorers with 34, Smith and Panting taking six and three wickets respectively.

Malpas: 191-9 (Poyner 52, Collins 46, Morgan 43, Hellyar 5 for 37). Barry: 127 (Leake 34, Smith 6 for 27, Panting 3 for 41).

Sunday saw Barry visit Premier League side Cardiff in the Welsh Cup. Barry won the toss and batted first but the Cardiff bowling attack always had the upper hand holding Barry to 144 for 9. Sherlock top scored with 25 and he and Steve R Jones put on 68 for the fifth wicket. Cardiff cruised to victory in the twenty-seventh over. Almond leading the way with 85 not out, the only blot on their copy book being Herbert bowled by Usswald for 39.

Barry: 144-9 (Sherlock 25, Davies 4-27). Cardiff: 147-1 (Almond 85no, Herbert 39).