Callington Come Out Top in Local Derby

The technical details of rules 17.4.3.1 (NOTE 1) and 17.4.4.1 were under much scrutiny before and after this keenly anticipated local derby.  For those not in the know, this relates to who is eligible to play in rescheduled matches in the Cornwall League.  It is rumoured that Falmouth University will be adding Cornwall Cricket rules as a stand-alone module to their sports degree course.

Nevertheless a mixed group of 22 players assembled on the Sunday, for a fixture rescheduled to allow Callington to play three teams on one ground.  For Gunnislake this included debutant Gary Primmer, previous hero Iain Barker and two loan players, Ryan Knight and Chris Lomas.  Callington fielded three players more normally playing for the seconds, but also a wide range of young players in their first season of adult cricket.  Tension was increased by a high contingent of ex-Callington players in the Gunnislake team, while Callington included former Gunnislake star Russ Holloway.  The bar was open and a raucous crowd was assembled to watch the match….

Gunnislake won the second toss of the weekend (I’m getting the hang of this captaincy now) and chose to bowl. Plan A: get Russ Holloway out cheaply.  Plan B: get him out at all.  Plan B it was, for after an early success Russ Holloway and Lee Cosgrove gave Gunnislake a lesson in batting.  Eventually, as the run rate increased and the batsmen took more chances, Russ was brilliantly stumped by Geoff Husband, with an accidental rebound off the pads.  Callington then gave their youngsters some batting practice, alternating them with some more experienced players.  From 156 for 1 Callington subsided to 228 for 8 off their 40 overs.  Scott Vowden took three wickets for the visitors, including the prize scalps of both Holloway and Cosgrove.

Gunnislake made a slow start in reply, mustering only 15 runs off the first eleven overs.  A peaceful calm descended over the ground, as the combined effects of tea, alcohol and the soporific batting came together in a lethal combination.  Barrie James perished trying to hit over the top, which brought Brian Martin to the crease.  He was soon into his stride, but as Gunnislake’s hopes were looking up, that man Russ Holloway popped up to take a leaping, flying, far too good, backward flip catch at deep mid on.  Wow, that would have graced a premier league match!  Gary Primmer, watching on from the non-striker’s end, took up the mantle, and with Iain Barker helped rebuild the innings.  A late flourish saw the innings close on a respectable, but well short, 139 for 5.

While each side took seven bonus points, the spoils went to Callington, who ran out comfortable winners.  The selection committee will be seeking reinforcements for our next match!  Are you reading this Sam?

Quote of the day

Rule 17.4.3.1  On a scheduled league match day where all higher teams are representing a club, then clubs may select, promote or demote players as the club sees fit……

NOTE 1 Should a match in tier 3 be mutually re-scheduled and played on the immediate Sunday following its original scheduled match day, then that re-scheduled match is played under the rules of 17.4.3.

Rule 17.4.4.1 For a rescheduled match a club must not select higher level players for its lower teams, where the definition of a higher level player is one who has played 5  of his/her last 8 games at a higher level……..

There’s more, but you get the picture!

Scorecard