BARLEY S first ever cricket match was played against Great Chishill way back in 1882. 128 years later, in their latest encounter, Barley managed a close victory against their local rivals in their final warm up game before the start of the league season.

BARLEY'S first ever cricket match was played against Great Chishill way back in 1882. 128 years later, in their latest encounter, Barley managed a close victory against their local rivals in their final warm up game before the start of the league season.

New Barley skipper Martin Beedell won the toss and elected to open the batting with his son Tom Beedell.

Beedell senior looked in control until he chopped a low bouncing wide ball onto his stumps for 15.

Chris Allan came in and pushed the ball around for a few overs as Beedell junior slugged several fours and sixes off Don Chilton and Jason Coombs before eventually being bowled by Adam Wright for 33.

Brian Symes, fresh from his maiden century against County Hall the week before, lasted two balls before he was clean bowled through the gate by Wright for a duck.

Chris Trimble was then bowled for 1 by Coombs while Jason Busby-Mitchell was well caught by Coxall at gully and Tom Trimble was adjudged out LBW by his brother for a commendably brief duck.

Allan meanwhile, continued to attack the Great Chishill bowling and passed his fifty with a nonchalant flick over point for six.

Paddy McMahon struck a four off his first ball and then watched on as Allan pressed on past his 100. After 20 years playing for Barley, this was his first ton for them and he duly celebrated by being brilliantly caught on the boundary for 103 the very next ball.

Adam Pattison then gave a batting masterclass for his two before Peter Chuck was caught off Chilton who also notched two.

Rutter picked up the wickets of McMahon for four and Michael Ross who had failed to trouble the scorers. Barley finished on 177 all out after only 30 of the allotted 40 overs.

In reply, Great Chishill got off to the worst of starts as Michael Harris cut what looked a no-ball from Brian Symes straight to backward point where Chris Trimble took a very good catch.

Peter Chuck bowled tidily and regularly found the edge but was unlucky as the ball never quite went to hand.

Symes was dangerous throughout as he took 3-17 runs off eight overs. Michael Ross returned even more impressive figures of 3-10 off his eight overs.

Tom Trimble's fast off breaks gave him a wicket and the aggressive pace of Chris Trimble saw him take two wickets.

Great Chishill kept going at four an over throughout their innings and could have won the game needing only 16 from the final six balls of the day.

However, Paddy McMahon stepped up to dismiss their last man Gary Wright to see Barley victorious with Great Chishill 162 all out.