County League: Barkby United hammered by Kibworth

The early weather set the tone for a fairly grim Barkby performance, dull and drizzly, and when the clouds eventually parted, the home side were put into bat on a turgid wicket.

Matt Boyce and Tom Flowers strode out to bat in high spirits, but they were soon dampened after Boyce was trapped lbw.

Flowers continued his excellent form by dashing a few boundaries, well supported by Rob Townsend who was good value for his 20 before he fell to a faint knick behind leaving Barkby on 40-2 after 11 overs.

Steve Flowers walked in hoping to push on with his brother at the other end, but snicked off for a scratchy nine. Tebbatt, Morris and a returning Ben Hinchcliffe all came and went quickly as the hosts teetered on a precarious 79-6.

Flowers shone against a consistent attack and mustered a very handy seventh wicket partnership with Jamie Drake, but then departed for a well-made 62.

Martin Troop and Drake added valuable lower order runs, propelling Barkby to 172-8 when Drake was dismissed for an excellent 37. Troop soldiered on to 29 not out as the innings subsided to a decent 196 all out.

Morris and Johnson took the new ball for Barkby United and did their best to keep it tight, but the fielding side struggled to take wickets.

Neither seam nor spin proved a challenge for Kibworth openers Craven and ???, who batted with purpose.

Ben Hinchcliffe bowled with good control and Max Carmichael added pace, but a Tom Flowers over proved the final nail in the coffin as he disappeared for 29.

Kibworth powered to a 10-wicket win, with Craven finishing on 136, but newly-promoted Barkby have enjoyed an excellent first half of the season and lie fourth.