Match report by Ian Dawe (8th May).
On a very warm sunny day the two tribes gathered at Hawkmoor. Emma Barnes, captaining for Launceston, won the toss and after some serious consideration elected to bat.
Opening the bowling for Gunnislake were Ian Dawe and Paul Lees, after two maidens Ian struck in his third over when removing opener Wilton for 5 leg before wicket. Sylvan Pook replaced Ian after his opening spell of 5 overs for 10 runs, and struck in his first over removing the other opener Baker for 7 with a catch from Dean Organ. So Launceston found themselves 34-2 after 11 overs.
Paul was replaced at the river end by Mark Everett after his good spell of 8-1-29-0. The recovery for Launceston provided by Spence and Glen added 27 before Dinesh caught Spence for 21. The good work continued after Rod Barnes joined Glen at the crease. Then Mark struck again to remove Rod for 6 with a catch by Dinesh catch, but not before they had added 40 for the 4th wicket. Sylvan finished his bowling spell with figures of 10-0-40-1.
Ian then rejoined the attack to accompany Mark. Mark took two wickets with his final 2 deliveries, one with the assist of a Brian Martin catch and the other a clean bowled to finish with the excellent figures of 10-4-13-4 and is on a hat-trick when he bowls his first delivery next Saturday.
Dean replaced Mark and got a fine caught and bowled to finally dismiss Glen for 55, who batted very well indeed. No more wickets were forthcoming and Launceston finished on 131 for 8 off their 40 overs. Ian’s figures 10-3-32-1 and Dean 2-0-5-1.
A very good all round bowling display backed up by some very good fielding in very warm conditions and time to relax for a few minutes to enjoy our food and drinks.
So how do you go about chasing 131? You open with Adam Emmerson and Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, that’s what you do! Dinesh was on a mission and blasted the Launceston bowling to all parts of Hawkmoor, bringing up his 50 in just 25 deliveries, before falling for 51, off a mere 27 balls, to an excellent catch on the boundary from Kev Hodge off the bowling of Emma Barnes. The included hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes, with his family in attendance to witness the heroics. He and Adam added 66 for the first wicket in under eight overs.
Brian after his 83 last week came in at number 3 to join Adam and in the first ball of the 21st over Adam hit his 7th four to get our score to 132-1 off 20.1 overs and secure back to back wins for Gunnislake. Adam finished on 48 not out and Brian on 14 not out. Ryan Hodge, Emma Barnes and Indy Worth all bowled very well for Launceston.
So another win and 19 points to add to the 20 from last week keeps us right up there, and next week we are home again when we entertain Ladock and try and make it three from three. Today cricket was the winner as the game was played in great spirit and a friendly atmosphere.
Launceston III 131 for 8 (Glen 55, Spence 21; Everett 4-13) Gunnislake 132 for 1 (Thirupuvanarajah 51, Emmerson 48 n.o.)