Tamar League Cricket Gunnislake v Tavistock 3rds GUNNISLAKE returned to winning ways at Hawkmoor on Saturday with a comprehensive defeat of an under-strength Tavistock side. On a day when loyalties were stretched between the summer game and that which used to be played in the cooler seasons there was no doubting the resolve and commitment of Gunnislake?s players. With the visitors calling the toss correctly the home side found themselves having first use of a very good wicket. Matt Ricard was spoilt for choice in selecting his opening pairing but settled on Kevin Pethick (31) and Ian Rooke. The latter is known for his aggressive starts which unfortunately rarely result in big totals and so it was to the mixed emotions of surprise and delight that he was welcomed back to the pavilion after 40 overs, undeafeated on 160. He was superbly supported during his innings, first by Pethick whose wicket fell just short of the hundred partnership, and then by James Boundy (72) who matched him stroke for stroke in a partnership of 188. Of the Tavistock bowlers only young McGahey (7-1-31-1) maintained sufficient control of line and length to limit the scoring rate of the Gunnislake batsmen. Their innings closed on 324-3, a club record for the forty over game. The Tavistock batsmen found scoring very difficult and once again the bowling of Mike Hugo and Aaron Pethick set the seal on the game. Pethick?s spell of five overs cost only eight runs. From the other end variations in flight were enough to send back five Tavistock batsmen for 19 runs. Chapman and Ricard came on to take two wickets each. Of the batsmen only Jarman (17) and McGahey (10) reached double figures. Gunnislake (20 points) beat Tavistock (2 points) by 264 runs.
