Spearhead captain Pete Kirby lost the toss on another wet day at the Spearing Waite Huncote Cricket Bowl. He was however delighted to be asked to bat by Kibworth skipper Bleby, as that is what he had in mind anyway. With rain forecast get your go in first I believe is this guys motto. A reluctant James Brewin opened with Swords and the big hitter was soon of and running with a couple of well struck fours. This however was not the tone for the match as the boundaries were set well back and the outfield long and wet. In fact only 10 fours and 1 six were hit in the entire match.

Brewin and Swords both fell in quick succession as Beavers and Clayton both hit the stumps. Tim Kirby looked to steady the ship with David Kirby, but Beavers struck again, bowling David for 1. The bowling was tidy but the run rate was steady around the 3.5 mark. Mark Schutz went about building a good partnership with Kirby, and on another day would of struck several boundaries, but the ball seemed to be holding up, not helped now by the light drizzle falling.

Pedley struck to remove Schutz for a solid 22, and then Danny Wilson for 1, but Carl Sommer held up his end to allow Tim Kirby the freedom to score some good runs on a slow track. After Sommer was out, bowled by Jennings, Tim Kirby reached his 50, before being caught on the boundary. Well held by Ellwood off the bowling of Jennings again. Pete Kirby had a quick fire cameo innings of 17, and Driver and Scrimshire took the score to 143-9, the former stumped off the last ball, leaving Barkworth with 2 wickets.

Unfortunately at tea the rain fell heavily and some standing water appeared on the square. Home skipper Pete Kirby was confident it would drain and the Power skipper, Bleby, was more than happy to inspect the pitch in 30 minutes after tea. After this brief spell in the bar watching England on TV, both captains were happy with 30 overs for the Power, with the option of a draw due to the restricted overs.

Driver and Sommer opened the bowling well, and both batsmen had trouble early on. Illingworth thought he was obviously playing a Lords a few weeks early as he appeared very annoyed by a ball misbehaving on a very wet wicket!! Sorry buddy we will get the hover covers sorted for your next visit. His stay was short lived though as Driver took out his off stump. Scrimshire took the wickets of Charles and Jennings, both well caught close in by Swords and Schutz. Pete Kirby bowled a tidy spell before David Kirby and Danny Wilson gave Kibworth some hope as Ellwood and Kinniburgh got after their bowling.

Some smart fielding though from David Kirby saw the later run out for 15, and the Power were faltering. Tim Kirby grabbed a late wicket, before a master show of pace changing from Max Swords saw Pedley caught, then Ellwood stumped from a beautiful bit a flight and guile. The last pair for Kibworth batted out the last couple of overs well to hold of for the draw, and in the end everyone was happy just to get in any form of match. Kibworth Power in the whole a good bunch with Ellwood their main man with the bat.

MOM to Tim Kirby for his hard working, well played 50, even if he did break his Ebay special bat in the process!!

Man of the Match- Tim Kirby

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