FORTY-five minutes of heavy rain at midday failed to prevent the start of Gunnislake?s home fixture against Milton Abbott in the Tamar League on Saturday. Losing the toss once again Gunnislake were invited to bat first. Marker, opening the bowling for Milton Abbott, soon found line and length and with the ball popping and seaming off the damp wicket scoring was slow. At the other end Milton?s skipper Baxter was just as accurate and after a brief flurry of scoring shots from Ricard, took a straightforward return catch to dismiss the opener. Gunnislake?s middle order gradually began to dominate the bowling, with Holloway (42) producing some fine forcing shots. Joined by Astley the pair put on forty runs before the partnership was broken. James Boundy (26) came in and supported his captain very effectively in another good partnership. By now Astley was well on top, manufacturing shots all around the wicket. His unbeaten innings of 114 included thirteen fours and four sixes. The Gunnislake innings ended on 205 for 5. Milton Abbott?s batsmen struggled to make runs against a varied Gunnislake bowling attack. Fuller (6-3-9-1), making his first appearance this season, proved difficult to get away and was rewarded with the wicket of Baxter. Mike Hugo (8-3-6-1) bowled with customary economy. Astley (7-3-11-2) and Ansell (5-4-4-0) replaced the opening bowlers and continued the pressure. All the time the rain clouds were building and with Milton Abbott?s score on 36 for 4 the match was abandoned. Gunnislake 14 points; Milton Abbott 9 points.