Following a double booking by South Petherwin, who were the scheduled opponents, Gunnislake had a quick chance to make amends for their recent defeat. The change of opponents meant that once again Gunnislake were deprived of their potential new signing, Joe Organ, and indeed that developing guru of slow bowling his brother Dean. Still, that left room for new signing John Knowles, all the way from Millbrook, and a first and welcome appearance for the season from Sylvan Pook, given the all clear by the Derriford cardiology team. A bit of grease in Ian’s knees, a quick check of the batteries in Barrie’s pacemeaker and we were ready. The committee are thinking about creating a new post: Club Doctor – apply to me if interested.
Gunnislake volunteered to bat, as they were a couple short come the official start (1pm late in the season, please note). And so, as a result, we have a full score book for the first innings, but a blank page for Foretescue’s reply. If Dean or Joe can get a photo of the Fortescue book that would be good!
Experienced pair Mills and James opened the batting for Gunnislake, and while Mills hit a couple of fours, James was tied down by the unlikely opening bowling of Dean Organ, who managed to bowl his four over allocation for a mere two runs. The usual tale of woe and what ifs followed as Gunnislake wickets fell at regular intervals. Standing proud in the mayhem was Adam Emmerson, the only batsman to reach double figures.
Now in the first fixture Fortescue players retired on reaching 50, but as Emmerson reached that milestone there was little left among the wreckage. He finally found a partner in Sylvan Pook, who looked as if he had never been away. Between them they put on 70 runs for the last wicket, with Pook contributing just 7 of those. But then Ben Stokes would not have won the Australia test without that 1 not out from Jack Leach….. And so with a late acceleration and a final flurry of three sixers, Adam reached his century, finishing unbeaten on 102, with the final team total 155 for 9.
Fortescue gave eight bowlers a turn, and were kind enough to not bowl their best seam bowlers at full tilt, but they all gave something for Gunnislake to think about. Three wickets fell to Williams, with two apiece for Joe Organ and Taylor, and one for Smith. But without Emmerson there would not have been a match.
The Fortescue reply was led by Taylor, with once again able support from Joe Organ. Both reached 50, although Taylor was by far the quicker. Gunnislake sniffed a chance as Taylor retired to make way for others, and a mini collapse ensued. Joe Allen, Sylvan Pook , Ian Barker and debutant John Knowles all chipped in as Fortescue sought to emulate the Gunnislake innings. But as the eighth wicket fell, Taylor returned to power the visitors home, with two wickets spare.
Thanks to Fortescue for stepping in very late in the day!
Scores
Gunnislake 155 for 9 (A Emmerson 102no; Williams 3 for 10, Taylor 2 for 4, J Organ 2 for 13)
Fortescue 157 for 8 (J Organ 50 retired, Taylor 60no; Gunnislake bowling figures to be confirmed)
Fortescue won by 2 wickets.
