In only a second outing in five weeks Gunnislake slumped to a heavy defeat at South Petherwin on Saturday; August availabilities and perhaps some ring rustiness costing Gunnislake dearly.
The match was in doubt for much of the week, with the home team’s covers blowing away earlier in the week and rain forecast. But some heroic chasing and repair of the covers, together with a break in the weather, meant the game was able to proceed.
South Petherwin won the toss and elected to bat. James Cawsey and Michael Clements set off in their usual aggressive manner and when Cawsey was bowled in the fifth over 38 runs were already on the board. From there things slowed down slightly and the run rate dropped down with only six runs coming from five overs at one stage. For Gunnislake it was a false dawn; Roger Gerry was playing himself in for the main performance. After the fall of Cements and then Adrian Martin, Gerry was joined by Adam Howgill, providing a contrast of experience and youth. Gerry drove hard and Howgill pulled anything either short or over-pitched. The run rate accelerated; maximum batting points were obtained and the total climbed. Howgill hit four sixes before finally being bowled for 66, with the score on 214. But there was no respite in the final six overs a further 67 runs were plundered by Gerry and Gareth Clements. South Petherwin were well satisfied and confident after amassing 271 for the loss of only four wickets.
The Gunnislake innings started slowly with runs only overtaking wickets in the sixth over. Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah was the only shining light with the bat as he hit a typically belligerent 71. No other player reached double figures as South Petherwin’s bowlers made metaphorical hay in the gloom. Kiera De Villiers and Emma Barnes starred with the ball taking four wickets each. No other Gunnislake batsmen made double figures and there were five ducks in the scorebook. South Petherwin needed less than 30 overs to complete the job, bowling Gunnislake all out for 107. The rain returned on the way home but it was too late for Gunnislake.
It was a comprehensive performance from South Petherwin who batted much better, bowled well, and worked hard on the ground to ensure the match happened. Gunnislake must now be careful to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight. With Tintagel marooned at the bottom, only twenty six points separate the five teams above them. A number of low scores in the division this week suggests it is not only Gunnislake who are having August selection problems and much remains to play for in the final month of the season.
South Petherwin 271-4 (R Gerry 79 no, A Howgill 66). Gunnislake 110 all out (D Thirupuvanarajah 71; E Barnes 4-19, K De Villiers 4-24). South Petherwin (20 points) beat Gunnislake (4) by 164 runs.