Gunnislake made the trip across the Tamar to Holsworthy on Saturday, for an away match against the side currently sitting bottom of the Division 5 East table, Holsworthy’s second eleven. But with both teams facing a long list of absences a close match was in prospect.
Gunnislake won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping to secure a low total to chase. Holsworthy started slowly and had accumulated a meagre 14 runs after ten overs for the loss of one wicket. The innings continued to proceed at a slow pace, so captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah took himself off and brought on Paul Bertorelli to try and induce some action. Meanwhile Ian Dawe found some good rhythm and speed at the Church End, taking three wickets for seventeen runs from his ten over allocation. At the other end Bertorelli bowled Chris Ward, to leave Holsworthy reeling at 34 for 4.
At this point Holsworthy captain Ryan Seymour-Smith entered the fray. Number six was a modest position for their best batsman, and Seymour-Smith promptly set about repairing some of the damage. A flurry of fours was followed by Gunnislake dropping Seymour-Smith at deep mid-off. It could have been costly, but soon after Seymour-Smith attempted a repeat shot, to be well caught by Joshy Varghese back-pedalling from deep mid-off, out for 33 runs. The scoring rate had accelerated but was still only 95 with only seven overs left. When Martin was out off the last ball of the innings, for a patient 33, Holsworthy had shuffled their way to 119 for 8. Paul Bertorelli and Danny Davies each claimed two wickets, providing admirable support to the opening bowlers.
The Gunnislake reply was equally circumspect, as Holsworthy opened with spin from both ends. In a mirror image of the Holsworthy innings Gunnislake were scoring at little more than a run an over. The first wicket fell in the fifth over with only seven runs on the board. Billy Pitts, batting at number three, sped things up a little, but was out caught at deep mid-off after surviving a couple of earlier scares. At this point Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, reminding everyone he is a genuine all-rounder, decided to take the attack to Holsworthy. The field quickly spread, leaving a wide choice of singles, with boundaries also gratefully collected off the bad balls. A punched cover drive off the back foot was particularly classy, but just when victory was in sight, Dinesh contrived to be bowled by Chris Ward. Nevertheless, his forty runs, at more than a run a ball, was in the context of this match a tremendous effort.
Dinesh drives for four, expert commentary from Danny Davies
At 107 for 3 the result was hardly in doubt, but Holsworthy managed one final wicket, when opener Jamie Wright was run out for 36. Two balls later Joshy Varghese hit the winning runs with a boundary to backward square leg. In the end Gunnislake ran out comfortable winners by six wickets. With fine performances from both captains, it was Gunnislake who had slightly more strength in depth, particularly with their bowling attack. Gunnislake take nineteen points from the match with four for Holsworthy.
In truth it was not the best quality match seen in Division 5, but at exactly halfway through the season all teams have played each other once. Gunnislake nestle safely in mid-table in fifth place, but Holsworthy need a string of good performances to change their fortunes around as they lie thirty points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Holsworthy II 119 for 8 (R Seymour-Smith 33, M Bell 33; I Dawe 3-17, P Bertorelli 2-22, D Davies 2-26); Gunnislake 123 for 4 (D Thirupuvanarajah 40, J Wright 36). Gunnislake (19 points) beat Holsworthy II (4 points) by six wickets.
A presentation was made to Joshy Varghese after the match: