While matches at Callington, Menheniot, Tideford and Buckland Monachorum were called called off, the Gunnislake ground staff once again triumphed, beating the weather. A sticky bowlers wicket was prepared, but despite winning the toss, Gunnislake chose to bat, in order to have time to lay out and serve the interval teas. We miss you Brenda! With two matches in two days, Gunnislake resources were stretched and nine brave souls prepared for battle with their Devon rivals.
In a light drizzle Gunnislake set forth in an attempt to set a challenging target for Milton Abbot. But it was a stumbling start; the captain ran out Barrie James, George Jefferis was bowled and Stephen Lees promptly holed out to backward square leg. Things got worse as a hard pull from Sylvan Pook was brilliantly caught one handed at mid-wicket by Helyer; Gunnislake were in trouble at 12 for 4. Undaunted, Adrian Cameron continued to show his underlying talent for cricket, as we try to wean him off rugby. The fours piled up and Milton Abbot started to set the field back, trying to pass the strike to Stephen Parsons. Alas Cameron skied one to the covers and Milton Abbot were again thinking of an early finish. But Josh Reynolds had other plans, picking up where Cameron had left off. Parsons survived a number of LBW shouts, much to the anguish of Milton Abbot, but eventually one was given, Stephen having scored a patient 14 but helping put on 102 runs in the process. Reynolds continued to score freely but ran out of partners; he was left stranded on 45 not out as Gunnislake closed on 126 for 8.
Although the rain had by now well and truly stopped, Milton Abbot started their reply in a hurry, with Helyer and Westlake taking a liking to the boundary. An early chance was missed as an anonymous fielder appeared to trip over his own shoe laces, failing to even drop the ball, and then a sharp slip catch went begging. The skipper gnashed his teeth and decided a bowling change was in order. Enter the ring Sylvan Pook, still smarting from his own dismissal in the first innings. An LBW saw Helyer depart and then Westlake was bowled, with his off stump hit by one that nipped back, despite an extravagant leave. Two more wickets fell to Pook; was there even a hint of an upset on the cards? The tension mounted, but a second bowling change saw runs flow freely again. A last throw of the dice: the mercurial but erratic Josh Reynolds was thrown the ball. Jenkins missed the first one: HOWZAT! Bowled! A wicket maiden to round off a perfect match for Josh, as he heads off to a new job in Essex.
However, Milton Abbot knocked off the few remaining runs and once again Gunnislake fell to a valiant defeat. Well we did acquit ourselves quite well. Sorry if the square is a bit of a mess Dave.
Quote of the Week
We don’t have any number 3s (rookie scoreboard operator)
Look on the back of the number 2s (exasperated captain)