Gunnislake’s woes with the bat continued as they were dismissed for 85 by high-flying Lanhydrock, falling to an eight-five run defeat. Lanhydrock remain hot on the heels of Division 5 East leaders Buckland Monachorum, who were held to an exciting tie by Pencarrow. In contrast Gunnislake slip to eighth, just one place above the relegation zone.
Lanhydrock won the toss and chose to bat but got off to a bad start when opener Jamie Taylor was bowled in the second over without scoring. Mark Trudgeon and 17 year old Alfie Wilson steadily repaired the damage, with boundaries once again coming freely off the fast outfield. After ten overs the score had reached a respectable 42 for 1 and Lanhydrock were moving along nicely. Two overs later Gunnislake captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah decided it was time for a change and took himself off, handing the ball to Dan Pethick. The 13th over proved unlucky for Trudgeon, as he was beaten for pace by Pethick’s first ball, trapped LBW, for 19. Wilson was then joined by 16 year old Nathaniel James, and the two youngsters continued the momentum. Wilson reached his half century pulling the ball for four through mid-wicket, but then mistimed another pull off Pethick, caught at mid-on by brother Kevin Pethick – a true family affair. Out for 53, it was another innings of fine promise from Wilson, who will soon be knocking on the door of Lanhydrock’s first team. At the halfway stage Lanhydrock were 107 for 3 and the game was well poised.
Dan Pethick falls to a stunning catch by Soma Smith
Dan Pethick was, however, enjoying his new role as a strike bowler. Bowling within himself, but with a lot of variation and the occasional fast fizzing ball, he picked up three more quick wickets, to end his ten overs with 5 for 36. Ian Dawe picked up one wicket in between and Lanhydrock were rocking at 118 for 7. The tail wagged somewhat, with Peter Pretorius and Dave Harland reaching double figures. But Thirupuvanarajah brought the innings to a close with the second ball of his second spell, as he got one to come back in and bowl Harland. With a healthy 31 extras, Lanhydrock closed on 170 all out from 37.2 overs.
The Lanhydrock score was below par, but Gunnislake have a very brittle batting line-up and so it was to prove once again. Lanhydrock mustered their resources well and were particularly astute with their field placings. Five were placed on the boundary for Dan Pethick, while they crowded the bat of his fellow opener Jamie Wright. Pethick felt the responsibility of his role as Gunnislake’s leading batsman and was circumspect, often restricted to singles to a boundary fielder. Meanwhile Wright achieved the rare feat of outpacing him with deflections and square drives piercing the attacking field to him. Pethick was indeed first out, when he fell to a stunning diving catch at mid-off, out for nine. Kevin Pethick, playing his first game for fifteen years, lofted a lovely straight drive for four before being bowled, to leave Gunnislake on 29 for 2. Wright and Graham Murray steadied the ship, but then Wright was bowled by Brian Barnicoat for 21, with the score on 56. That was the signal for trouble. Murray held firm, mixing defence and attack to good effect. But at the other end there was a crisis of confidence, as wickets tumbled with abandon. Barnicoat and Nizam Azeez were the bowlers who wrought havoc, with four wickets each. Murray was defiant to the end finishing on 32 not out, but none of the remaining Gunnislake team could make it to double figures. Another tepid batting display ended with Gunnislake all out for 85, exactly half the total mustered by Lanhydrock.
A few more fours would not have gone amiss!
Lanhydrock took 19 points from the game, while Gunnislake were lucky to muster 7. Five bowled, five caught and three more ducks as the quest for winning the coveted Gunnislake Duck Trophy hots up! Three of Gunnislake’s last four games are against teams in the relegation fight, with Luckett and Holsworthy heavy favourites to go down. But avoiding relegation is not where we want to be as a club!
Lanhydrock 170 all out (A Wilson 53; D Pethick 5-36). Gunnislake 85 all out (G Murray 32no, J Wright 21; N Azeez 4-23, B Barnicoat 4-30). Lanhydrock (19 points) beat Gunnislake (7 points) by 85 runs.