Barr 'disappointed' as Reading are held
Sportsdesk • Published 14 Jul 2011 12:30
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READING captain David Barr praised his team's 'spirited' batting performance but was left a 'little disappointed' they could only manage a draw at Harefield.
Chasing a target of 266, the visitors made 128-2 before Doug King (4-58) and Mluleki Nkala (3-83) forced a middle order collapse.
However they could not remove skipper Barr (30no), and his determination at the crease saw Reading bat out the 50-over innings for 224 runs and the loss of seven wickets.
Simon Macey (68) and James Hammerton (23) opened Harefield's innings with a partnership of 54 before David Hartley (3-102) and Luke Beaven (4-76) restricted their progress to 141-5.
A sixth wicket partnership of 68 between Ollie Richards (55) and skipper Mluleki (47), and, an unbeaten 27 from Luc Baldwin from just 23 balls pushed the hosts to a score of 266-9 through 60 overs.
Reading's reply got off to an equally impressive start with Tom Fray (88), Shelvin Gumbs (39), and Curran Gaur (31) contributing to an early score of 170-4.
However, Reading's chances of upsetting second-placed Harefield quickly faded when Jamie Hoddle (24), Armadeep Dosanjh (6), and Jack Beaven (3) all fell in quick succession.
With defeat in sight, Barr and Luke Beaven (9) held their nerve at the crease to see out the remaining overs for a draw and seven points.
Speaking to the Chronicle, Barr said: "It was a below par performance bowling and fielding wise really.
"We were a little out of sorts because it has been our strength in recent matches and seasons.
"We didn't bat badly, and had a chance of winning the game with a few overs to go but decided not to go for it with just three wickets left.
"It was a spirited batting performance but I'm a little disappointed we didn't win to be honest."
Looking ahead to the visit of Dinton this weekend, and the remainder of the season Barr added: "Dinton have a stronger side now and I noticed they won last week," (four wicket victory at Farnham Royal).
"It is unlikely, realistically that we can win the league now. I think it would be a more realistic aim to finish in the top three if we can.
"Burnham have had a great run of results and you have to give full credit to them. It is not impossible to catch them, but the 80-odd points that we are behind seems a lot to make up.
"We'll just take it game by game at the moment."
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