Yet another fascinating week for the selection committee led to a return of two young Yelverton players, along with two more senior loans, Ian Mill from Bude and John Scott up from St Ives. Once again the team selection ground to a halt at 10, despite a brief possibility of Andrew Dickerson making a full team.
Gunnislake won the toss again and chose to bat, but were soon regretting it. Star player and this week’s secret weapon, Andrew Morris, was surprised to be caught behind with only 16 on the board. John Scott soon followed, as did Barrie James and Josh Stevenson. 23 for 4 and it looked like we could all be home for tea. Cue dogged resistance from Stephen Lees and George Jefferis. The score climbed slowly and steadily. Buckland second string bowlers were pretty good too, with some excellent leg breaks from Halloran, but Lees and Jefferis saw them off. They gave way to their third string, except Buckland captain Dan Rogers had saved the best for last. At least that was the feeling of our reporter, who lost his off stump to the first ball he faced from Rogers! But Jefferis was then joined at the crease by seasoned campaigner Mill, aiming to make up for last week’s single figures at Werrington. Against good bowling from Luke Dennis and Rogers the recovery continued, until first Jefferis was bowled by Dennis and then Mill fell in the same manner to Rogers. Resistance dwindled as Buckland mopped up the tail, leaving Gunnislake on 119, one run short of a third batting point. Dennis and Hoad finished with three wickets each and Rogers two.
The second innings was a repeat of the Werrington match. With the pressure off and ten men stretched in the field, Buckland set about their reply with gusto. The score rattled along at six an over. Josh Stevenson bowled with pace and some swing, but it was Sami Rahman who made the only breakthrough, enticing Gary Elkington to provide a catch to midwicket, a hard pull excellently taken by John Scott. It was but a blip as Paul Edwards joined his son (?) Gareth Edwards at the crease. Soon after Gareth Edwards passed his maiden fifty in adult cricket and in a twinkling the 119 was also passed. Buckland were home and dry with only one wicket down.
I thought Buckland Monachorum were the best side in our League last season, and are once again this season. I do not know what the odds are, but my tip is to put a tenner on them winning the League this year. Meanwhile we move on to our next match, a home fixture against Tideford. This promises to be an intriguing and closer fixture; what will the selection committee come up with this time? The early signs are not good – ring me if you are available!
Gunnislake 119 for 9 (2 points) lost to Buckland Monachorum 120 for 1 (20 points) by nine wickets.