Cleeve CC hosted Barrow Gurney this week in Round 3 of the Tony Hitch KO Cup and had to fight to the end for a narrow five run victory after half centuries from their opening pair of Mitch Want and Sam Williams.

On the hottest evening of the year so far, Cleeve skipper Williams elected to bat first and, alongside batting partner Want, set about blasting Barrow’s bowlers around the ground in style in style, opening the game with a run-rate of around 10 runs an over.

Williams took the lead and had just passed his half century when he edged to slip for a quick fire 56 off 33 balls, with Cleeve at 84-1 after just nine overs.

Want carried on his innings as he saw partners come and go with Tom Birt, Glenn Lewin and Joe Hance departed for single figure scores by the 16th over.

Want continued to an excellent 71 runs, which included 11 boundaries, before he was bowled in the last over, with Dan Jones departing LBW for 10 three balls later, as Cleeve posted 157-6 after their full 20 overs.

In reply, Cleeve hoped for early wickets, but Barrow started well, keeping up with the required run-rate.

Andy Barnsley finally struck in the 5th over, bowling Mitchell for 15 at 40-1 before

Right arm spin from Jalal Ahmed, 1-22 from three overs, produced a false shot by Brown as Barnsley held on at point 12 runs later.

Williams’ left arm seam removed Yelland for 11 and dangerous opener Cryans for 45 thanks to Birt and Cam Elswood catches with Barrow at 102-4 at the end of the 15th, giving him figures of 2-20 from four overs.

Elswood held on to his second catch off the returning Barnsley, 2-27 from four overs, to put Barrow on 115-5 at the end of 17th over with 43 runs needed to win, Cleeve felt the match was theirs.

However, Barrow’s Connock and Hodges still believed as they despatched 17 runs off the penultimate over, including three edges that rushed to the boundary.

The final over from Jack Spiers, three overs for 25, yielded more runs and two maximums that left Barrow needing six off the final ball to secure a memorable win, but a mere single brought relief to Cleeve as they won by just five runs.

Cleeve now march on to the Bristol & District Tony Hitch KO Cup quarter finals as they travel to Bristol West Indian Phoenix on 10th July.