Barkby United Seconds up to third with Asian Sports win

On a glorious day in Birstall, Barkby Seconds captain Adam Cookson won the toss and elected to bat first against Asian Sports.
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Another new pairing of Jack Wood and Lloyd Phillips opened and soon got things going with regular boundaries and quick running.

Fine lofted drives from keeper-batsman Phillips led him to his first half-century of the season in style, well supported by Wood, who was eventually dismissed for 33 to break an opening stand of 98.

Phillips was caught in the deep for a fluent 71, but wickets then began to tumble as Percy, Waplington and Hocking were all lost cheaply.

Nitesh Vadgama (20) and Freddie Hammond (17) rebuilt, but both soon followed as wickets continued to fall regularly.

Young Jack Johnson was left standing on 13 not out as Barkby were bowled out for 184.

The Asian Sports innings started badly as opening bowlers Amit Barchha and Johnson both claimed an early wicket apiece.

Johnson then added another to his tally and captain Cookson got in on the act, with Conor Percy taking two catches from loose shots.

After some big hitting from the middle order, and a few missed opportunities, the cunning Dave Botting came up with the goods, and finished with impressive figures of 4 for 38 from his 12 overs.

Barkby’s bowlers saw out a 39-run victory with another wicket for Cookson, and finally Johnson, taking his total to three, when a fine edge off the big paceman was collected by Phillips.

Barkby took the full 30 points for the second successive game to move up to third in Division Five East. On Saturday they welcome Bharat Sports to Beeby Road (1pm).