After a season of playing teams from the far east of the County, Division 6 has again become a division for east and west, with Gunnislake once more on their travels to grounds not visited for several seasons. This week the maps were out to check where Grampound Road was. (A30 to Indian Queens then turn left for the old fashioned, or these days it seems What3Words is the way to go: mailings.imposes.newsreel).
The early season has yet to settle down and several teams, including Gunnislake, remained unbeaten before the match. Gunnislake were, however, without their three leading run scorers and Grampound Road seem stronger than in recent years, so a close match was on the cards. I have no idea who won the toss, but Grampound Road either chose to bat or were inserted. The sun was shining, a few picnic rugs were scattered and the stage was set for another afternoon of English eccentricity.
Grampound’s openers looked good, but Gunnislake kept the bowling tight. In one eventful over from Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, the Grampound Road captain Tyler Howard managed to give three chances. The first, a pull to backward square leg, was dropped by Jacob Crocker, a great flying leap of an effort. Almost immediately the shot was repeated and this time Crocker clung on, only for the ball to be marginally called a no-ball on height. Faced with two reprieves Howard then smote the ball into the covers where Own Patton held on well to finally claim the wicket. Things calmed down after that and the match proceeded evenly, with regular wickets falling until Todd Jago joined Ross Collett, with the score on around 84 for 4. At this point Gunnislake seemed to settle for containment, and while the scoring rate did not get too high Grampound Road never seemed in any trouble. A few chances in the deep were missed, and Collett was finally bowled by Mark Everett, following a lapse of concentration on reaching his fifty. A final spurt saw Grampound Road finish on 195 for the loss of only five wickets, Jago remaining unbeaten on 64. Thirupuvanarajah was the pick of Gunnislake bowlers with three wickets.
Gunnislake’s reply lacked conviction from the start, with Grampound Road attacking with a series of young bowlers. Tilly Dodd took early wickets and then Laura Baldwin joined in the fun – once again women’s cricket showing men the way forward? Wickets fell regularly and Gunnislake were always behind the run rate, while Grampound Road always seemed favourites to win. Thirupuvanarajah smashed a quick 29, while Patton showed patience and technique while accumulating 18. There was a late flourish from old hand Ian Dawe and youngster Spencer Whatley, with Spencer hitting the last ball for four, to secure a fourth batting point. But Gunnislake had fallen short and Grampound Road ended up comfortable winners by 34 runs. Dodd took the bowling honours with four wickets.
Despite defeat, Gunnislake still managed to finish the day top of the League, for rivals St Stephen and Newquay lost by bigger margins. It’s a funny old game. But it is still early in the season and there is a lot to play for!
Grampound Road IV 195-5 (Jago 64n.o., Collett 53; Thirupuvanarajah 3-34). Gunnislake 161-9 (Thirupuvanarajah 29, Everett 20; Dodd 4-45, Baldwin 2-20). Grampound Road IV (18 points) beat Gunnislake (6 points) by 34 runs.