After a disappointing run of results Gunnislake bounced back on Saturday with an emphatic win over Launceston’s 2nd XI. The 127 run victory lifts Gunnislake two places in the League and one one point ahead of Launceston.
After a close fought match at Launceston earlier in the season, which Launceston won in the last over, it was sweet revenge for Gunnislake, who were able to field a stronger team with three of their star players returning for the match.
Launceston won the toss and invited Gunnislake to bat on a dry and cracked surface. Father and son Martin and Ryan Vanstone opened the bowling for Launceston. A few balls kept low, but there was little to alarm Gunnislake’s openers Sam Graber and Dan Pethick, as the score moved up at a steady six an over. The wicket keeper was kept busy with wides and Gunnislake also benefitted from a good selection of byes. But the serene progress was ended when Graber missed a straight one from Ryan Vanstone, bowled for12. James Boundy briefly looked elegant, but fell to a catch held by Launceston captain James Theobold. At the other end Pethick powered to 48 with some lovely off drives and savage pulling, before being trapped LBW. Gunnislake had raced to 103 for 3 after only 15 overs.
Russ Holloway, playing with elegance, and captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarah, with some lusty blows, kept the pressure on Launceston. Dinesh also fell just short of a half century, out caught and bowled to Indy Worth for 45. Holloway, however, remained untroubled to guide Gunnislake through to the close of their innings. Gunnislake finished with a season high score of 257 for 5, with Holloway unbeaten on 71.
Launceston faced a daunting total but on a dry and fast outfield the match was still very much alive. Gunnislake opened with the gentle swing of Lee Roberts and the off spin pf James Boundy. The unusual combination tied down Launceston who, after 12 overs, had crawled to 17 for 1. At this point Launceston decided a more aggressive approach was required, with Mansfield promptly taking 17 off the 13th over alone. The next over he surprised the sheep in the neighbouring field with a towering six, only to slam the next ball to cover, where Sam Graber held on well for the catch. Launceston were 45 for 2, with only 26 overs left.
James Theobold and Glyn Hutchings steadied the ship, but the run rate continued to climb. Trying to up the scoring rate Theobold was well caught on the mid-wicket boundary by Dan Pethick. At half way Launceston had reached 77 for 3, but still faced a daunting target of 180 from the final 20 overs. Gunnislake turned to regular opening bowler Dinesh, and Russ Holloway from the village end. They kept the pressure up and when Hutchings was run out after a mix-up, for 27, the writing was on the wall. Wickets fell a regular intervals, with Launceston offering a grateful home team three wickets caught and bowled. Then, almost without warning, the last three wickets fell in eight balls and Launceston were all out for 130. Holloway took 4 wickets for Gunnislake, with 3 for Dinesh, to complete a fine match for both players.
So Gunnislake took the maximum 20 points from the match, while Launceston had to settle for 5. While Gunnislake now squeak above Launceston in the table, but they still have to face the two top teams in the League in their difficult run-in.
Gunnislake 257 for 5 (R Holloway 71no, D Pethick 48, D Thirupuvanarajah 45), Launceston 130 (G Hutchings 27, W Mansfield 24; R Holloway 4-29, L Roberts 2-24, D Thirupuvanarajah 2-31). Gunnislake (20 points) beat Launceston II (5 points) by 127 runs.