Saturday marked the second half of the season, with fixtures being the return of the opening day. Despite a heat wave all week, Saturday started grey and drizzly, but Gunnislake and Grampound Road III braved the weather, in the knowledge that the pitch was covered and the outfield parched. Grampound brought a young team with them, while Gunnislake welcomed back Dan Pethick, a third generation of his family to play for Gunnislake. Too old for football? Cricket will welcome you!
Gunnislake won the toss and chose to bowl. A damp ball made control difficult, and the bowling was erratic at times, but frequently threatening. Graham Murray, Division 5 East’s leading wicket taker, was first into the action, bowling Chris Davey with a full toss. Grampound’s captain, Matt Pengelly held firm at one end while wickets tumbled around him. After sixteen overs, Grampound were teetering on the brink at 56 for 7, Pengelly having fallen for 20. Murray claimed another five wicket haul, while Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah lent good support with the other two wickets.
At this point Gunnislake changed the bowling, but with little let up for Grampound. James Boundy took two wickets with his off-breaks, for a meagre six runs, and Lee Roberts claimed the final wicket with only 23.1 overs used up. Grampound squeaked a second batting point as they finished on 81 all out. Despite uneven bounce on a tricky wicket, the total was well below par.
With grey clouds louring over the ground the teams turned straight around for Gunnislake’s reply. In the third over Kevin Beare gloved a sharp rising ball to be caught behind. But from there Dan Pethick and Ross Potter dominated the Grampound bowling. Truth be told the young Grampound team were a relatively weak bowling attack. But Potter and Pethick showed careful defence and attacking intent in equal measure – something that Gunnislake’s brittle batting has lacked this season. Two bowling changes after seven overs saw no improvement in Grampound’s fortunes. Gunnislake upped the tempo and Pethick smashed three sixes in the ninth over. And indeed after that it was all over; Gunnislake had reached their target for the loss of only one wicket. Pethick finished on 43 not out, with Potter 23 not out. Meanwhile Gunnislake’s middle order had the rare experience of watching the entire innings from the boundary, with their services not required.
With other fixtures cancelled Gunnislake’s 20 points takes the team back into the top half of the table. When they field their best eleven they can be a match for anyone in this League. Grampound Road were on this occasion outclassed, but with their young team they can hope for better times ahead. And it was good that both teams were rewarded for a full match in mainly dry weather.
Grampound Road III 81 (M Pengelly 20; G Murray 5-23, J Boundy 2-6, Dinesh T 2-29). Gunnislake 83-1 (D Pethick 43no, R Potter 29). Gunnislake (20 points) beat Grampound Road III (2 points) by 9 wickets.