BASSINGBOURN made hard work of winning a close game against Barrington II on Saturday.

BASSINGBOURN made hard work of winning a close game against Barrington II on Saturday.

Barrington batted first and Luc Pascal made the early breakthrough. Lewis Rawlinson beat the bat several times but opener Douglas and number three Sewell batted well in a 50-plus partnership.

Ben Allen helped control the run-rate before both batsmen were bowled either side of the drinks break by Tom Andrews. Carrington went after the bowlers and hit his way to 31 before he was caught by Allen off the bowling of Rawlinson. Rawlinson was making his first-team debut and bowled his second spell with pace and bounce to deservedly take two wickets. It was left to James Robinson to clean up the tail with 4-21 as Barrington posted a gettable 165.

Despite losing Matt Andrews early on, Bassingbourn were always up with the run-rate. With Scott Bates hitting the ball hard and Mark Smith nudging singles they took the score past 100. Bates went past 50 but was soon out for 54 with the score on 118.

With 16 overs left, eight wickets in hand and less than 50 runs needed, Bassingbourn looked all set for victory, but a collection of wickets fell which left the visitors 129-5.

Mark Smith was then run out for 51 as Douglas (3-25) and Martin Winter (3-38) were on the verge of bowling Barrington to victory. Tom Andrews looked to anchor the run chase and found good support in debutant Rawlinson as the overs ticked down. Victory was secured off the first ball of the final over with Andrews (17*) and Rawlinson (7*) seeing the team home.