The driest summer on record? Not quite in Gunnislake, where the valley was misty, damp and drizzly. After a fine week cricket teams around the county were once again studying various web-sites and apps to predict the weather. But there was little chance of the ground becoming waterlogged so twenty-two players gathered with a mix of optimism and foolhardy bravado. Gunnislake were looking for revenge having lost only their second game at Grampound Road, while both teams are vying for second place in the league standings. Both teams fancied their chances and were keen to finish a match!
Gunnislake lost the toss and were asked to bat, which left them faced with a conundrum: play as if the match would last the full 40 overs or go for it from the start? The drizzle started just as the first ball was about to be bowled, and in practice barely relented. Stephen Lees fell in the first over, first ball, but after that hiccup things progressed well, with the score ticking along nicely. Adam Emmerson and captain Mark Everett quickly got things back on track, but fell with scores in the thirties. At 94 for 3 it was nip and tuck, with something in it for both sides. But the drizzle turned at times to fairly heavy rain, and the spectators on the boundary were surprised that the match continued. Josh Crow in a rare appearance cracked a couple of quick fours but then departed. By then the Gunnislake overseas star, Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, was getting his optician’s eye in and upped the scoring rate. In a final flourish the ball was whacked over the trees and into the Tamar River. As the hunt for the ball was on the rain came down harder and the teams finally ran for cover.
At 141 for 4 off 24 overs the game remained well poised. But the rain continued to fall, and the match drifted towards 24 overs only. Against a very young Grampound Road side Gunnislake still fancied their chances, but the weather had other ideas. The two captains undertook a final inspection and the group decision was to reluctantly give up and abandon the match. Gunnislake took nine points from the day, while Grampound Road scored eight. A slight anti-climax, but in reality we were probably barmy to play as long as we did.
To make matters worse it seemed to be a really local thing, with matches at Luckett and Callington also off, but nearly all the other games in the county played to a conclusion. Still at least Kevin’s square got a much needed watering!
Gunnislake 124-4 (A Emmerson 34, M Everett 30, D Thirupuvanarajah 30 no; M Darling 3 for 46)
Match abandoned Gunnislake 9 points, Grampound Road 8 points.