A makeshift Gunnislake team succumbed to Launceston in this end off season fixture. New jobs, injury, illness, rugby, football and even holidays all gave the team secretary busy all week. In the end, on football transfer deadline day, Werrington came up trumps with three loan players. Launceston thirds were not without their own problems, with captain Paul Bunn absent with kidney stones (it must be said a better excuse than many from the Gunnislake squad)!
Launceston won the toss and asked Gunnislake to bat. Cue returning hero Sam Boundy, who was unusually quiet, but a bit of a rock as Gunnislake’s fragile batting lived up to form. Two young Werrington stars, Ollie Petersen and Toby Biggs looked briefly good, but aside from Sam (43) and extras (38) the only contribution of note was an excellent 26 not out from Sylvan Pook. A final wicket stand of 21, aided by typical obdurate batting from Geoff Husband, allowed Gunnislake to creep to a final total of 139 for 9. Star bowler for Launceston was the wily off spinner Paddy Webber, with three wickets, including the prized scalp of Sam Boundy.
Gunnislake’s victories this season have tended to be built on bowling and fielding, so hope, rather than expectation, remained as the teams took to the field for the second innings. Ollie Petersen opened the bowling from one end, and showed what a fine prospect he is, sending down five overs of brisk seam and conceding only ten runs. The Launceston openers, Andrew Baker and Lewis Matthews weathered the storm, with just the odd risky aerial shot, and then began to build. But Baker then tried to send one into orbit, the ball finally re-entering the atmosphere to be caught in the covers. 34 for 1 and fourteen overs gone; could a remarkable victory be on? No. The scoring rate increased steadily and in a further blow Petersen twisted his ankle and was unavailable for his second spell. This paved the way for David Emmerson to turn his arm over, showing some of his old bowling promise. However, cheered on by a raucous first team (who had earlier thrashed Callington seconds) the inevitable loomed. Two more wickets fell, but a late cameo of boundaries from Simon Wilton was the final nail in the coffin. Matthews (67 not out) carried his bat as Launceston strolled to a seven wicket win.
It seems many in the Cornwall League are struggling for numbers, and Gunnislake are no exception. Some new recruits are needed for next season, and more discipline from the more senior players would also help. Silly run out captain. But we played and we had some fun. We have one final match, the local derby next Saturday, when we host Callington. Come along and lend the team some support!
Quote of the Week
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part”. Baron Pierre de Coubertin. (The old ones are the best).