Hero’s Return to no Avail

Another packet of Bassett’s Liquorice Allsorts headed north to Launceston, as Gunnislake sought their first double of the season.  Light on numbers once again Paul Lees, injured in the home fixture, was recalled for his first game since, with the intention of bowling only.  Ian Mill from Bude, but a likely transfer next season, and three Launceston loans made up the numbers.  So a special thanks to Chris Tanner, Ethan Green and Rod Barnes!

The baking temperatures continued, and the neighbouring field was being combined, leading to a fair smattering of straw across the ground.  Indeed it could have been the venue of an agricultural show, but no that was the Liskeard Show, from which Iain Barker was hot-footing it, to lead the bowling attack.  The rush was perhaps unnecessary as Gunnislake were asked to bat.

A familiar stuttering start followed, and two of the Launceston loanees seemed to adapt well to the Gunnislake style.  Oops.  A mid innings lull followed as Ian Mill struggled to find his timing, missing the ball with great regularity, but somehow staying at the crease.  Then something happened, Mill found his form and the score began to grow.  Extras also played a blinder, and first Brian Martin and then Sylvan Pook held up an end while Mill advanced the score.  The innings closed after the full 40 overs, with the total on a respectable 151 for eight.  Pick of the bowlers was Tom Davey with 3 wickets for 24, but all the young Launceston attack bowled well.

151 seemed a bit light, and so it proved.  Launceston  opened with Lewis Matthews, fresh from a century against Tintagel and Andrew Baker.  Gunnislake tried Paul Lees and Iain Barker, and then Sylvan Pook and Ethan Green (a rather good left arm spinner), and with a final throw of the dice Ian Mill and Rod Green.  All to no avail.  Matthews in particular showed no mercy, and the score ground remorselessly on.  A tight run-out not given and a close stumping (video replay please) were tiny beacons of hope, but false alarms.  Matthews reached his second successive century and Gunnislake conceded their second successive one.  Gunnislake were finally put out of their misery in the twenty-ninth over and Launceston had avenged their defeat earlier in the season.

Gunnislake now firmly prop up the table, so the only way is up!  The selection committee are approaching the agents of Andrew Morris and Sam Boundy as you read this.  A full strength team would give most teams in this division a run for their money, so you never know what might happen next week.  If you cannot make Hawkmoor for the match against St Stephen, then tune in here for next week’s report!

Launceston III (19 points) beat Gunnislake (3 points) by ten wickets.

 

Scorecard