The first team made it two wins from two to become one of three teams with a perfect record at the start of their campaign.

They didn’t have it all their own way at a warm and sunny Coal Aston as they were made to chase 252 posted by the hosts.

Two tosses and two losses for Beukes as they were made to field in the fantastic cricket conditions.

Injuries to Rizwan Ishfaq and Charlie Taylor left the seam department a little depleted but gave Mansoor Shinwari a chance to impress on his return to the first team.

Lucas Slatter and Harvey Round opened up and made the batters play and miss but struggled to find the consistency to increase the pressure on the home side. The introduction of Shinwari brought immediate success, causing the dangerous Dave Rodgers to nick behind to a smart catch by Ciaran Stenton, Rodgers had made 24 of the 40 opening stand, 11 of which were extras.

The second bowling change brought the second wicket as Max Heseltine trapped Coal Aston’s overseas, Regan Sheahan in front sweeping for 5.

Former Barnsley star, the evergreen Jon Trower joined Jack Hall at the crease and between them they built the foundations of the home sides innings. They stroked the ball around in an 84 run partnership from 128 balls.

Harvey Round made the breakthrough cleaning up JT for 38. That brought Ben Hall to the crease as the innings started to have more urgency about it. The brothers brought up their 50 partnership in 44 balls, and brought up their sides 200 in the 44th over before Lucas Slatter had Ben caught in the deep for 34 from 33 balls. 11 balls later Jack’s fine innings came to an end on 85 as Slatter bowled him.

The 250 came up in the 48th over but his two runs from Slats last over left the hosts on 252 for 6, which given the conditions and the pace of the outfield, felt about par for the day. However, scoreboard pressure usually favours par scores when batting first. Slatter was the leading wicket taker with 3 for 57, Heseltine the pick of the spinners with 1 for 34 from his 11.

William Chapman and Ali Zaryab looked to continue their form from last week and they looked comfortable at the crease as they added a 61 run partnership to go with their 192 partnership last week. Chapman tried to take control when the spinners were introduced and hauled out to mid on trying to clear the infield for 26. Zarmash Tarakhill was then adjudged to be in front first ball bringing the skipper Beukes to the crease. At the first drinks break after 17 overs the visitors were 71 for 2, they then needed another 64 to the next drinks break but most importantly
didn’t lose any wickets. Both batters passed there half centuries and were set, which played into their hands. They kept the run rate manageable and they accelerated the innings perfectly. Ali brought up his maiden century for the club from 124 balls before Beukes was the third man out guiding one behind for 82 from 118 balls, needing just 7 to win from 9 balls.

The 185 run partnership was the second highest for the season in just two games and the maturity that Ali showed to finish on 131 not out from 140 balls was extremely impressive. It was left for Ciaran Stenton to hit a six with three balls remaining to see Barnsley take a maximum 24 points from their first two games.