Gunnislake roared back to winning ways on Saturday, beating close rivals, Launceston II, by 32 runs. In a low scoring match Gunnislake were all out for 145 but then dismissed their hosts for 113. As a result the two teams swap places in Division 5 East, with Launceston dropping to eighth and Gunnislake moving up to seventh.
Gunnislake won the toss and chose to bat, opening with Dan Pethick and Billy Pitts. William Manfield, bowling from the Pavilion End, swung the ball dangerously at times and got his reward when Pitts was bowled for four. But at the other end Pethick was in imperious form. Watchful defence was mixed with aggression for anything off a length. Half volleys were pounced on as the long on and long off boundaries took a pounding. Pethick reached his 50 pulling a six over mid-wicket and Gunnislake were beginning to enjoy their afternoon. But before Pethick could add another run he was caught by Launceston captain, James Theobold, on the long on boundary, with 54 to his name. Only 12.2 overs had been bowled while Gunnislake had raced to 72. Enter brother Kevin, still finding his feet after a fifteen years break. It began to look a different game, with Launceston tying down the run rate, with the off-spin of Brett Grosvenor particularly parsimonious. Brief cameos from Pethick, Graham Murray and Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah followed, but none managed to build from a start. Wickets fell regularly and once again Gunnislake looked in trouble at 111 for 6.
Dan Pethick reaches another fifty with a trademark six.
However, the frequent Gunnislake collapse did not quite materialise. The tail put on a few runs for each wicket, while Launceston plugged away. Grosvenor and Peter West claimed three wickets each and then Dan Davies was run out, failing to return to his crease after playing a blocked defensive shot. With West’s ten over allocation over, 16 year old Olivia Jones came on to bowl and promptly took the last two wickets, in only ten balls, to leave Gunnislake stranded on 145 all out. It was a below par total but at least gave the bowlers something to aim for.
Launceston’s reply started at pace. Johnny Knight was particularly aggressive, scoring at close to two runs a ball. Graham Murray was tight at one end, while Dan Pethick was the main victim at the other end. Pethick bowled with great pace and aggression, but the wayward balls were punished. When Knight missed a full toss, to be bowled by Pethick for 23 with the score on 44 and Gunnislake had a glimmer of hope. Phil Spry then promptly hit Murray to mid-on, where Pethick took a simple catch; 44 for 2 and it was game on.
Murray was swinging the ball well, and Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah, taking over from Pethick, bowled accurate off-cutters. The pressure mounted and wickets fell regularly, with Murray’s swing causing Launceston all sorts of problems. Glyn Hutchings sportingly walked when he feathered a very fine catch behind. But Murray was flagging and was finally relieved of the ball after nine overs to finish with the excellent figures of 5 for 22. At the other end Dinesh kept up the good work and two more wickets for him left Launceston in deep trouble at 90 for 9. But Launceston would not give up. Brett Grosvenor showed his experience defending well and offering no chances. The occasional four kept the score ticking over, while number eleven Oliver Keates rode his luck. The 100 milestone was passed and Launceston continued to eke their way on. Overs were not a problem and as the score mounted nerves began to fray. Could Launceston pull off a miraculous recovery to snatch victory? Dinesh rung the changes and brought Danny Davies on to bowl, his extra height and lift causing a new problem for Launceston. And in Davies’s second over Keates top edged one behind and Launceston’s resistance was over. Launceston had taken the score to 113, leaving Gunnislake the victors by 32 runs.
Gunnislake take 18 points from the match while Launceston receive seven. Both sides should avoid relegation this season, but if Falmouth escape the drop from County Division 1 it is likely that three teams will be relegated from each Eastern Division. So, to be safe a seventh place finish is essential. In a close division, the relegation battle looks like going down to the wire!
Gunnislake 145 all out (D Pethick 54; B Grosvenor 3-19, P West 3-61). Launceston II 113 all out (J Knight 23; G Murray 5-22, D Thirupuvanarajah 3-19). Gunnislake (18 points) beat Launceston II (7 points) by 32 runs.
