Our last 2 visits to Perranarworthal had produced 85 for 17 wickets, so stand- skipper Farrar had a pang of anxiety on wining the toss.But deep breath, and bat – a nice sunny evening, a short boundary and a dry pitch , what could possibly go wrong? Soon Dommett ( 12) was into his stride with a lovely straight drive for 6, sadly losing his stump next ball trying to replay the shot. Violaris ( 30 retired ) moved the scoring on with flurry of boundaries and with Farrar ( 24) got Methigion heading for a competitive total, scoring 71 off the first 10 overs,but as sure as light follows day wickets fell. The expected collapse was averted as latecomer Bebb ( 22) , with Stableforth ( 13*) and Dinuka ( 10*) took Methigion to 127 for 6 off their 20 overs. Would it be enough?
Events in the first over suggested it might, as a lofted off drive went over over Blake’s shoulder for what looked like a couple of runs, but somehow he got hands on it, after 4 goes managed to hold on the catch. Rejoicing, ok draw-dropping amazement all round. Opening bowlers Dinuka ( 1-15 ) and the limping Violaris ( 1-25) ensured the scoring wasn’t easy. Methigion also managed a couple of run outs, and when Shetty chased a ball ,slid along side it and sent an accurate throw over the stumps I began to think I turned up at the wrong ground. Some tidy bowling by Farrar ( 1-23) , Bharat ( 2-24) and Stableforth ( 1-29) , and 2 retirements for Perran ensured that the scoring rate in the gathering gloom become ever more difficult. Perran complete their innings with 116 for 7 , leaving Methigion the victors by 12 runs.