With only one completed match in three the sun at last shone on Gunnislake in time for the visit of Pencarrow. But with seven first choice players missing over half term and the bank holiday, Gunnislake wilted in the sun, slumping to a 100 runs defeat.
The day started well with Gunnislake winning the toss and choosing to make best use of the new ball. Gunnislake did have three main bowlers, but where would the remaining overs come from? Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah opened from the River End while new local resident and summer signing Danny Davies was asked to bowl at the Village End. A lively start saw both Pencarrow openers back in the pavilion early, with Davies bowling both. From there Pencarrow captain Tristan Jago and veteran Simon Clay began to rebuild the innings. The runs came steadily, with a handsome dollop of extras contributing well. Clay survived a loud appeal for caught behind and made good use of the reprieve, the score advancing to 159 before Gunnislake achieved the breakthrough.
Tristan Jago reached his half century and was promptly bowled by Dinesh. The next over Clay thought he had hit a straight six, but the ball fell short and Clay jogged through for a single. Or so he thought; a direct throw hit the stumps and led to a careless run-out! Clay gone for a fine 57. Gunnislake ‘s tail was up and Davies and Dinesh ripped through the middle order. There was resistance from the youngest player in the match, Jake Boyling, who finished with 26 not out. But Gunnislake had run out of overs; Pencarrow squeaked their fifth batting point to end on 203 for 7, with extras contributing a too large 41 to the total.
With their main batting firepower missing, 203 was likely to be a daunting chase for Gunnislake. And so it proved, with wickets falling with great abandon. At 35 for 5 some resistance finally arrived, with Ross Potter and Billy Pitts building a careful partnership. The required run rate climbed steadily, but Pitts and Potter began to bring some respectability to the scoreboard. However, both perished in their twenties and Gunnislake slid from 81 for 5 to 103 all out. Jago produced a captain’s performance for Pencarrow, following his 50 with four wickets while the tail was mopped up by none other than Simon Clay, who ended with three victims.
While two men can take the plaudits Pencarrow were clearly the better team on the day. They take a maximum twenty points from the match while Gunnislake had to be content with five. Gunnislake will hope for better availability in the next few weeks, for with a full side they can be a match for anyone in this league.
Pencarrow 203 for 7 (S Clay 57, T Jago 50, J Boyling 26no; D Davies 3-38, D Thirupuvanarajah 3-39). Gunnislake 103 (B Pitts 25, R Potter 22; T Jago 4-12, S Clay 3-24). Pencarrow (20 [points) beat Gunnislake (5 points) by 100 runs.
It happens to the best……..
Not out and I’m staying indoors
International umpire Arthur Fagg was in charge when England hosted the West Indies at Edgbaston in 1973. But he went AWOL though after refusing a catch. And when the visitors disputed a decision rather too stridently, he refused to turn out for the third day. Warwickshire coach Alan Oakman stood in for the first over while Fagg was placated and he eventually returned. The batsman involved meanwhile, managed to avoid controversy his whole career: Boycott, G.
The first World Cup final, June 21, 2020
Lloyd’s dismissal was unfortunate. He was caught by Marsh off Gary Gilmour, down the leg side, and the decision made after a long discussion between the umpires. He did not seem to have hit it, but the 102 from 85 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes remains one of the greatest innings ever played in this form of cricket.
And a clip for the coaching manuals: