Seven in a Row for Werrington

A week after Menheniot Looe conceded to Gunnislake it was Gunnislake’s turn to struggle for numbers, with memories of selection issues last season flooding back.  Hours on the phone and Facebook led to nine brave souls heading north to Werrington.  In terms of both age and firepower it was very much a show of defiance by Dad’s Army, but the show must go on.  A special thanks to Saf Wallace, his friend Barrie True and Martin Turner, who thought he had come to watch his son play for Werrrington!  And thus ten men finally took the field for the away team.

Gunnislake ready for action

Gunnislake lost the toss and found themselves bowling.  A long afternoon was in prospect, Werrington captain Nigel Dennis averaging more on his own (195) than Gunnislake are as a team!  Sure enough the runs flowed steadily at a rate of eight an over, with the score reaching 165 for 0 at the half way stage.  Only Sylvan Pook maintained a measure of control, as a series of occasional bowlers tried their luck at the other end.  Nigel Dennis, true to form was on his way and Nick Wills, free of the responsibilities of captaincy was enjoying himself at the other end.  A few aerial shots went near fielders, but none to hand, until at last Wills picked out loan player Martin Turner on the boundary, departing for 79, his highest score for many years.  Gareth Cox joined the fray and Werrington continued to progress serenely.  Dennis was, however, getting weary and the scoring shots became ones or fours; there was no late innings acceleration, but none was needed.  The 300 was passed in the 36th over, and it was only in the final over that Gunnislake had further success.  Demon change bowler Saf Wallace enticed Dennis down the wicket and he missed, only to see the bails clipped, and Gunnislake had a bowling point!  Dennis had perished on 144, out for only the fourth time this season.  Two balls later Cox pulled the ball hard to deep mid-wicket, straight to a fielder and Wallace had his second wicket.  A small fillip at the end, but Werrington had racked up a daunting total of 321.

Gunnislake were ahead of the run rate for four balls, but it was not to last.  Tight and accurate bowling from Werrington was followed by two quick wickets as Adam Emmerson and Stephen Lees both fell to catches.  Brian Martin, assisted by Sylvan Pook attempted to rebuild, until Pook was caught at mid-wicket; 46 for 3 at the half way point.  James proved hard to shift, but the runs were also hard to come by.  Then Scown returned for a second spell, getting James caught at gully and Werrington were through to the tail.  Saf Wallace and Martin Turner also fell to Scown and Brian Martin was caught at mid-wicket (something of an epidemic in this match!)  It was left to master blocker Geoff Husband and Stephen Parsons to play out the remaining overs.  A boundary from Parsons squeezed a second batting point, but although crowding the batsmen Werrington had no further success.  Gunnislake had crept to 81 by the time the forty overs were up, and Werrington, despite a dominant display, had to settle for only 18 points as they recorded their seventh straight win.

Bloodied but unbowed

Thanks to those who did their best to uphold club honour, especially those who were press ganged into bowling.  Numbers look better for next week, when we are up against a powerful Liskeard team, but will the probable return of club legend Andy Astley turn the tide of fortune?

Werrington (18 points) beat Gunnislake (3 points) by 240 runs.

Scorecard