Gunnislake headed west for a long trip to Newquay this Saturday. Following promotion they were up against Newquay’s third eleven rather than the fourth team, and indeed a team in the mix for promotion. On the Newquay side there was an interesting line-up. In the week that saw the publication of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report ‘Holding Up A Mirror To Cricket’, revealed racism, sexism and elitism in the sport, Newquay included four Afghan nationals: Nazim Ismail, Mohammed Tahir, Obaid Shams and Nanglay Tahir. They were to have a major impact on the match…..
The wicket looked somewhat rough, with the Newquay groundsman injured, a mower broken down and rain on Friday all conspiring to provide a pitch helpful to the bowlers! Following holiday traffic nine Gunnislake players made the start, and after losing the toss were asked to field. Newquay did lend an extra fielder and in due course the final two (nameless) Gunnislake players made it to join the fray.
Newquay started steadily, attacking any loose bowling but leaving a number of balls that kept popping up off a length. Gunnislake had one early wicket, but Ruben Barclay and captain Tom Backway took the score to 62 before Gunnislake got a second: Barclay LBW to Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah. Three more wickets quickly followed and Gunnislake were looking good with Newquay on 80 for 5 in the twenty-first over. But from there Newquay accelerated, with significant contributions from Obaid Shams (28), Sam Milat (30no) and Nanglay Tahir (23). The innings was held together by Backway who made 58 before falling victim to a run out. Newquay rode their luck with aerial shots often landing just short or wide of fielders, but with the uneven bounce their aggressive approach paid off. By the time 40 overs were up, the score had reached 214 for 8, with Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah taking three wickets for Gunnislake. It was a good score, but one that gave Gunnislake hope.
After a sumptuous tea (the best so far this season), Gunnislake returned to face the Newquay bowling. The international presence was felt again with Mohammed Tahir and Nanglay Tahir opening the bowling. The bowlers were on top throughout most of the reply. With the generous help of extras Gunnislake managed to keep the score ticking along at around three an over. But no-one mastered the pace of Mohammed Tahir or the swing of Nazim Ismail, who came on first change. Adam Emmerson, Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah and Ian Mill all hung in and made contributions, but the Newquay total was never threatened. Lee Roberts tucked into some late change bowling, as in a final flourish Gunnislake passed 120 to gain a third batting point. But time and overs had run out with Gunnislake stuck on 142-8, 72 runs short. Roberts (24 not out) and Emmerson (24) top scored for Gunnislake, although both were beaten by wides and an overall total of 47 extras.
And so Gunnislake left with seven points, while Newquay’s nineteen saw them climb, at least temporarily, to the top of the table. Congratulations to Newquay and Afghanistan!
Newquay 214-8 (T Backway 58, S Milat 30no, O Shams 28, R Barclay 23, N Tahir 23; D Thirupuvanarajah 3-44). Gunnislake 142-8 (L Roberts 24no, A Emmerson 24; N Ismail 2-14, N Tahir 2-30). Newquay (19 points) beat Gunnislake (7 points) by 72 runs.
