Gunnislake, starting the day in third place, hosted second place Holsworthy II on Saturday. But the weather had the last laugh as consistent heavy rain led to the match being abandoned as a draw.
The weather forecast was always doubtful, with light rain and drizzle predicted, but the match did start on time. Holsworthy won the toss and asked Gunnislake to bat. In overcast and humid conditions, the Holsworthy opening bowlers had the ball moving both ways and Gunnislake struggled to score.
James Boundy, entering after the fall of the first wicket, brought the Gunnislake innings into life. He drove and pulled crisply, including a straight six and looked well set. But then calamity, following miscommunication with his partner, both ended up at the bowler’s end, while the ball went from mid-on to the Holsworthy wicket keeper who gleefully whipped off the bails. The batsmen looked at each other in dismay before Boundy fell on his sword and walked back to the pavilion. It was a noble, but premature, end to an innings of great promise.
This took the wind out of Gunnislake’s sails. Elsewhere on the meteorological front there was now persistent drizzle. The bowlers were struggling to grip the ball, but in the mist and gloom wickets fell at regular intervals. There was one break in play of 30 minutes after 20 overs, but after a brief resumption the heavens opened again and the player trudged off for what was to be the final time. Gunnislake had struggled to 96 for 7, to win two batting points. For Holsworthy Ben Hutchings has a fine opening spell, finishing with 2 for 7 from 8 overs, while Dan Marks also took two wickets. The team had to settle for three bowling points. With six points each for the abandoned match Gunnislake ended with 8 points and there were 9 for Holsworthy.
Nine points were a poor return for Holsworthy as they were well on top in the match. But both teams lost out as the other leading teams all managed to win over the weekend. Holsworthy drop to third and Gunnislake fall to fifth in a tight battle at the top. Gunnislake now have four matches against teams below them in the League so still have a chance to regain their lost momentum, but they will need more help from the weather gods!
Iconic Opticians Man of the Match: James Boundy
Gunnislake 96 for 7 (J Boundy 25; B Hutchings 2-7, D Marks 2-29). Match abandoned. Gunnislake 8 points, Holsworthy II 9 points.
Umpiring Lesson
27.3.1 The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler, touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run.
27.3.2 In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball.