Gunnislake amassed 391 for 8 from their 40 overs before condemning Bugle to a 266 runs defeat on Saturday. On a day of records Paul Hollow’s maiden century was eclipsed by a powerful, stunning 225 from Dan Pethick. The third generation of Pethicks now have their own chapter in the annals of Gunnislake Cricket Club.
On a bright sunny day, but with rain still possibly forecast, Bugle won the toss and asked Gunnislake to bat. Sam Graber and Dan Pethick opened for Gunnislake, facing the bowling of Sam Couchman and Martin Hutchings. Both batsmen looked in good form, but Graber pushed a catch into the covers when a ball from Couchman held up. Ross Potter also fell quickly, to leave Gunnislake on 46 for 2. But this merely set the scene for a fantastic show of batting from Pethick and Hollow.
Hollow played with a straight bat and class, stroking the ball around the outfield, but soon settled into a role as a foil for Pethick. Hollow hit numerous fours, but as the field spread a familiar pattern emerged. A single driven to long off to get Pethick on strike, followed by some brutal hitting. Pethick made good use of the short leg-side boundary but was also strong between extra cover and long off. Sixes were the order of the day as the spectators were dispatched to look for a series of balls in neighbouring grounds. Pethick’s first fifty was quite circumspect, but as he passed his previous highest score the run rate accelerated. His 50 after 14 overs became 100 at 20 and the landmark double century was reached a mere nine overs later.
The end came soon after when Pethick attempted to pull for six, got a top edge and skied the ball for Bugle keeper Paul Gribble to take the catch. The whole Bugle team sportingly shook hands with Pethick as he returned to the pavilion and a standing ovation. The final tally was 26 sixes, twelve fours and four lost balls. A record score for Gunnislake and a record partnership of 281.
Meanwhile the supporting act Paul Hollow went past his previous career high of 73 to a well-crafted chanceless century. The rest of the Gunnislake team seemed carefree on an end of term outing. None made double figures as Bugle plugged away taking late wickets. But the damage had been done as Gunnislake ended on 391 for 8. Nathan Toms was the pick of the bowlers, with three wickets, while Martin Hutchings and Ron Nicholls had two apiece.
The Bugle reply started with some purpose, despite a seemingly forlorn and faraway target. The run rate set off at a respectable eight an over as the home side made good use of the short legside boundary. But wickets fell regularly with Gunnislake captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah getting good movement to claim four wickets. A defiant 47 from Bugle captain Grant Kennett was brought to an end when Paul Hollow took an excellent catch running backwards in the covers off the bowling of Danny Davies. Bugle were in trouble at 74 for 4. Davies then ripped through the tail with a further three wickets. Nigel Couchman, batting with a severely bruised hand fell to another stunning catch as Pethick leapt high to his right, to complete a near perfect performance. Time to polish up your bowling Dan!
Robin Nicholls was last man out as Bugle slumped to 125 all out. The rain had not come to save their day. One man made the difference in the match and Bugle managed a creditable seven points. But Gunnislake took twenty and some memories of a fantastic performance that will linger long in the memories of those who were privileged to watch the occasion.
Gunnislake 391 for 8 (D Pethick 225, P Hollow 101; N Toms 3-48). Bugle 125 all out (G Kennet 47; D Davies 4-32, D Thirupuvanarajah 4-54). Gunnislake (20 points) beat Bugle (7 points) by 266 runs.
Iconic Opticians Man of the Match: Dan Pethick.
