Gunnislake were pleased to field the three Beares for this match, with Jake making his first appearance of the season, accompanied by father Simon and Uncle Kevin. But it was Buckland Monachorum captain Adam Talbott who had eaten the porridge as he hit his second century of the season, and indeed his career. It was to prove too much for Gunnislake as they subsided to a 97 run defeat.
Despite a wet forecast, the rain held back, and on winning the toss the Gunnislake captain chose to bowl on another fine-looking track. A rapid start by Buckland was interrupted when Jake Beare took a well judged catch at mid-on to remove the dangerous Dan Rogers. But from there it was steady progress for Buckland Monachorum, with Adam Talbott supported by Harry Tredwin. Tredwin led a charmed life, surviving a bungled run out, a dropped catch and then a loud appeal for caught behind. But Gunnislake eventually got their man, with Paul Hollow clinging on for a catch at short cover, to give Simon Beare his first wicket, as Tredwin fell for 26.
At 102 for 2 Buckland looked in the driving seat, but Gunnislake kept the scoring rate in check, and when Paul Hollow bowled Adam Rich for 15 the score was still only 135 with less than 9 overs left. By then Talbott was in the groove, helping the run rate to climb, but at the other end wickets fell quickly. Graham Murray, returning for a second spell, was in devasting form, taking four quick wickets with his swinging fast bowling. Talbott was at risk of being stranded in the nineties, but last man Steve Mannell blocked well to enable Talbott to reach his century with a six over mid-wicket. A final score of 184 for 9 left team honours even, but it was an outstanding innings from the visitors’ captain who finished on 104 not out.
Gunnislake’s reply was an all too familiar stuttering tale of woe. Three wickets were down in a blink of an eye, before Russ Holloway and Kevin Beare began to restore some order. Holloway drove with class, and when Toby Halloran came on to bowl spin despatched a couple over square leg for six. However, when Beare fell to give Hoad his third wicket Gunnislake were looking down the barrel at 43 for 4. And so it proved with Halloran and Dan Rogers knocking over the stumps of the next five batsmen, as Gunnislake offered Buckland some excellent target practice. Gunnislake captain Dinesh, returning from the minor injuries unit at Liskeard, bravely came in at number 11, to try and shepherd Holloway to his half century. But it was not to be: one handed does not work well against good bowling and Dinesh was out LBW first ball, with Holloway left undefeated on 46. Gunnislake’s reply did not reach half way as they were all out for 87, handing Buckland a 97 run victory. Dan Rogers was pick of the bowling, finishing with 4-18.
So while Gunnislake remain in mid-table with two wins and two defeats there remains much to do in the batting department. Perhaps Adam Talbott could be persuaded to provide some coaching? Greater application will be needed if the team are to compete well in this league. A trip to Launceston next Saturday provides the first opportunity of redemption!
Buckland Monachorum 1 184-9 (A Talbott 104no, H Tredwin 26; G Murray 4-46, P Hollow 3-54), Gunnislake 97 (R Holloway 46no; D Rogers 4-18, S Hoad 3-22). Buckland Monachorum (19 points) beat Gunnislake (6) by 97 runs.