Gerrans Outclassed by St Gluvias
8th July 2023
In a somewhat one-sided affair, St Gluvias overhauled Gerrans first innings score of 143 all out, with the visitors looking worthy of their second place in Division 3.
Originally a home fixture for St Gluvias, the fact that the match went ahead at all was thanks to the sterling efforts of Gerrans’ Head Groundsman Steve Hooper and his team…who had 4 days’ notice to prepare a pitch with St Gluvias’ ground having been taken over temporarily by Travellers.
Turning to the cricket, Gerrans won the toss and decided to bat first with Sam Baker and Simon Candalin making their first appearances for the club.
After the loss of several early wickets in the face of tight bowling from Khan (2-55) and Bannister (3-28), Gerrans seemed to have got going with a stand of 53 between Tris Perry (24) and Freddie Tilley (28), before a clatter of wickets left the side teetering at 80 for 7. O’Neill did the damage taking 4-13 from his nine overs. The Gerrans tail wagged, with dogged resistance – notably from Guy Houghton (41*) – enabling the home away side to get to 143 all out.
With 143 never likely to be enough on a good batting surface, Gerrans were further hampered when young seamer Charlie Baker left the field after sustaining a knee injury early in the second innings. Two wickets for Houghton and one for Perry together with a well taken catch by Hitchings behind the stumps earned the home-side a bowling point; but a fine overall batting performance from St Gluvias saw them comfortably surpass their target with almost 25 overs to spare.
All in all, a very good natured game of cricket, played with great spirit with excellent local support as always….. at a hastily prepared Gerrans ground looking superb!
Well done again Steve Hooper and team.
St Just Triumph on a Blustery Day in West Penwith
15th July 2023
On a day when most cricketers in Cornwall were not expecting to start, yet alone finish any league cricket, the weather gods looked down sympathetically on St Just in Penwith – England’s most westerly cricket ground. St Just 3rd XI earned a well deserved 7 wicket win against visitors Gerrans.
With Gerrans struggling with player availability through a combination of injury, college commitments and holidays, Simon Tilley took a weakened side to St Just. Electing to bat first on a sticky wicket, Jim Holt (22) and makeshift opener Freddie Tilley (14) put on 40 before both fell within quick succession. Enter Tris Perry (43) and Guy Houghton (25) who batted positively, taking the attack back to St Just with a rapid-fire 76 run partnership despite a short rain interruption.
After both Houghton and Perry fell in quick succession to young all-rounder Max Harvey (4-36) , Gerrans struggled to maintain that momentum and posted 155-9 in their 43 overs with Damon Fillery (3-28) and James Harvey (2-27) doing the damage.
Strong Westerly winds dried the wicket out and St Just made the most of the improving batting conditions. Despite using 6 bowlers, Gerrans could not build sufficient pressure on St Just’s batting line-up. Only captain Tilley (2-16) and Tris Perry (1-26) caused the home side any problems as they cantered to 156-3 with 10 overs to spare with Keeper/Batsman Robert Jose making a well composed 60*.
Despite the disappointment, Gerrans’ team spirit remained high as the fielders chased down everything until the end.
With improved player availability in the coming weeks, Gerrans has many positives to take forwards through the second half of the season – weather permitting!