Teens shine as Gerrans falls just short
There are times when, irrespective of the result, all 22 players come off the field knowing that they have been lucky enough to play in a magnificent game of cricket. And so it was on Saturday 3rd June when Gerrans travelled to local friends/rivals Perranaworthal CC.
Gerrans lost the toss and Perranaworthal CC decided to bat first. They posted 214-7 off their 45 overs. Batting second, Gerrans were always in touch but fell short in the end, losing by 19 runs.
The bare statistics themselves do not do justice to what was a terrific game of cricket.
Perranaworthal rode some early luck as openers Peter Holland (56) and Chris Pentecost (58) both offered sharp chances at first slip to post a fighting first wicket partnership of 94 in 15 overs before the partnership was broken by veteran off spinner Tristan Perry (3-50).
Batting at 3, Fletcher hit a bright and breezy 39 which included 3 fine straight sixes before he was well caught in the deep by Simon Tilley of the bowling of Jim Holt (2-43).
The pick of Gerrans’ bowlers was promising teenager Charlie Baker who bowled fiery spells taking 2-34 off his 9 overs. Credit however should also go to the father and son combination of Simon and Joseph Tilley who, bowled 18 wicketless (and luckless) overs whilst conceding only 79 runs between them in what was probably Gerrans’ best bowling performance of the season so far.
After losing Jim Holt to the 4th ball of Gerrans’ innings to a fine catch at 1st slip, Callum Grahamslaw (36) brought some early impetus to the chase before being cleaned up by Adams (2-34).
Enter Freddie Tilley, Gerrans’ second promising teenager who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 62* including 6 superb boundaries. This was an assured, mature, confident innings that Perranworthal to a man applauded when Tilley reached his first 50 of the season.
Perranaworthal bowled tightly throughout Gerrans’ chase with some tight 9 over spells from Pentecost (1-24), and promising Rhys Holland (0-29); but the real damage was done by Ben Toulson who bagged 5-54 including the wickets of Baker (15), Whiles (1), Jason Holt (6), Perry (32) and Hitchens (0).
Gerrans welcomes Gulval CC 1st XI to our Churchtown Road ground on Saturday 10th June. Play starts at 13:30. Your support is always welcome.