Another week of watching the rain clouds, with heavy downpours on Sunday and Wednesday, led some to doubt Gunnislake’s weekend fixtures. But from there on it stayed dry, puddles on the outfield were forked and the sun chose to remember it was now officially summer. With early season matches re-arranged, the iconic Hawkmoor ground was host to two games over the weekend. St Austell’s fourth team were the visitors on Saturday and on Sunday their near neighbours St Stephen second team travelled east.
On Saturday St Austell won the toss and chose to bat. Ten minutes in they have been pondering this decision as two quick wickets fell, both being bowled by Lee Roberts. Joe Baker, coming in at four seemed a man on a mission and suddenly ball was being despatched to all parts of the ground. 26 runs were added in two overs before order was restored as Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah took a catch off the bowling of Jake Beare. Baker had gone in a flash, but with 28 runs to his name. From there wickets tumbled fast, with only opener and stand-in captain Sam Bennetts holding firm. Eventually he found a willing partner in number ten batsman Steve Osborne. The score crept up slowly, past 80 for two batting points and then past 100. Progress was slow, but there were overs to spare. Gunnislake rang the changes with the bowling, mindful that many were due to play again tomorrow. Joe Organ bowled five overs for a meagre single run, and eventually the stranglehold worked. James Boundy got an off-break past the defences of Osborne and then again the last man as St Austell ended on 118 all out. Sam Bennetts held the innings together, carrying his bat for 31 not out. Roberts and Boundy finished with four wickets apiece.
After tea Gunnislake set off with intent. Joe Organ was in fine form, driving to both leg and off, while Brian Martin anchored at the other end. The score had reached 56 after ten overs before the first wicket fell, Martin missing a gently looping slower ball, only to hear the clatter of ball on stumps. Straight after Organ went to his half century before suffering a repeat of Brian Martin’s demise. 65 for 2 and St Austell has their first bowling point. It was, however, their last success, as captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah hit out. In nineteen overs it was indeed over, as Gunnislake passed the St Austell total, to secure a win and maximum points. Thirupuvanarajah finished on 34 not out, but it was the bowlers that must take a bow for providing the platform to win this match.
Iconic Opticians Gunnislake Man of the match: Lee Roberts, for taking four wickets in the St Austell top order.
St Austell IV 118 all out (S Bennetts 32no; J Boundy 4-19, L Roberts 4-34), Gunnislake 119-2 (J Organ 54, D Thirupuvanarajah 34no; J Baker 2-33). Gunnislake (20 points) beat St Austell IV (3 points) by 8 wickets.
Another fine day on Sunday saw St Stephens visit for a match originally scheduled for April. Two teams girded their weary limbs and took to the field once more. St Stephen won the toss and chose to bat, with Boo Tamblyn pressed into emergency service as an opener with regular Sean Hicks. But Hicks was first out as Gunnislake struck early. Lee Roberts moved one away from the batsman, who sent a sharp edge fast towards gully. Joe Organ, fielding in the slips, leapt high and left , like a salmon, to hold on to a stunning catch; St Stephen were 4 for 1. Tamblin and captain Richard Budge did not last long either, leaving it to young Oliver Budge and Craig Coad to rebuild the innings. Runs came slowly, at just over two an over, but there was plenty of time. When Budge fell to another excellent catch Gunnislake captain, Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, mixed things up and chose to give debutant Paul Innes a bowl. His gentle seamers mesmerised the St Stephen tail-enders and the wickets tumbled. St Stephen collapsed to 84 all out as Innes finished with a career best 5-10. The total looked nowhere near enough, but you never knew….
The Gunnislake reply was led by Sam Graber, while Stephen Lees watched and admired from the non-strikers end. Graber timed the ball well, piercing the field with great frequency and lofting it over the top on a couple of occasions. The score mounted rapidly and despite a change of bowlers Gunnislake reached their target with few alarms in only 15 overs. Graber finished with an unbeaten 54, with Lees a much more sedate 17. Another 20 points were in the bag.
Maximum points from both matches saw Gunnislake climb to fourth in the League. Sterner tests lie ahead, but the return of four former players has strengthened the team and augers well for the rest of the season.
Iconic Opticians Gunnislake Man of the Match: Paul Innes (with apologies to Sam Graber).
St Stephen II 84 (O Budge 20; P Innes 5-10), Gunnislake 85-0 (S Graber 54no). Gunnislake (20 points) beat St Stephen II (2 points) by 10 wickets.
POSTSCRIPT.
Tales of the Riverbank was a 1960s BBC television show starring Hammy the Hamster. Down by the Tamar Gunnislake have their own hammy tales. This year Graham Murray and Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah have twanged their hamstrings, while Lee Roberts and Simon Beare seem to have twinges only. Gym sessions to follow!