Gunnislake never fail to entertain, and Saturday once again saw a close match, dominated by bowlers. Unlike last week, however, on this occasion Gunnislake came out on top. Having scrambled a paltry 108 runs, including 33 extras, Gunnislake skittled out Pencarrow for 78, to claim a 30 runs victory.
Pencarrow won the toss and asked Gunnislake to bat, on a hard and what turned out to be slightly uneven track. On paper Gunnislake had a strong batting line up, but a youthful Pencarrow were soon enjoying success. Three quick wickets left Gunnislake in familiar trouble at 14 for 3. Russ Holloway, playing his first game of the season, briefly threatened, scoring 16 before slicing an attempted cover shot to gulley. Wickets fell with alarming regularity, despite exhortations to play sensibly. Captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah stayed for a while, playing an unusually restrained role, but it was Joshy Daniel batting at number nine who finally hit out with a few lusty blows, to finish top scorer with 23 to his name. With extras top of the scoring charts with 33 to their name, Gunnislake were all out for 108. Pencarrow, aided by the uneven bounce, bowled well throughout, with Tristan Trago claiming an impressive 5 for 22. Round one to Pencarrow!
But while the Gunnislake batting is misfiring, their bowling line-up is one of the best in the division. Stern words were had over tea and the team took to the field with a degree of determination and belief that there was still all to play for. Graham Murray, bowling with speed and swing struck in the third over, clean bowling opener Eddie Thompson and then Liam Coles first ball. The hat-trick was missed, but at 4 for 2 the marker was laid down. As the innings wore on Pencarrow were being strangled, with the run rate hovering around 2 an over. James Boundy and Dinesh joined in, catches were held and Pencarrow were reeling at 26 for 7. Of those 26 runs 20 had been scored by star bowler, captain and Pencarrow superman Tristan Jago. He eventually found support from Alistair McPhee and the score crept up to 67, before a returning Murray trapped Jago leg before wicket, out for a threatening 42. Gunnislake breathed a sigh of relief, but McPhee turned from dour defence to attack, a good eye making up for modest technique. Lee Roberts, on at the Pavilion End, briefly came in for some harsh treatment. But McPhee, aiming for the mid-wicket boundary, missed a straight one and was bowled for 18. The score was now 77 for 8 and Gunnislake were firm favourites. Roberts did not disappoint; one run, a stumping and a bowled later it was all over. Pencarrow had collapsed to 78 all out in 35 overs. Murray, Boundy and Roberts all finished with three wickets, in another impressive bowling performance.
And so Gunnislake took 17 points from another entertaining but flawed win. Pencarrow, who had to concede their first game of the season, can take heart from a young and talented squad. Better times for them lie ahead, but for today it was Gunnislake who took home the spoils.
Gunnislake 108 (J Daniel Varghese 23; T Jago 5-22), Pencarrow 78 (T Jago 42; J Boundy 3-8. G Murray 3-21, L Roberts 3-27). Gunnislake (17 points) beat Pencarrow (6 points) by 30 runs.
