It was back to fine weather in this stop-start season, and it saw Gunnislake heading west amidst the caravans and surf boards to renew battle with Newquay’s third team. But with several key players still missing Gunnislake were taught a lesson by two young brothers, Charlie and Alfie Bishop. Newquay ran up an impressive 254 for 8 before skittling Gunnislake out for 102. 17 years old Charlie hit a maiden century before his older brother Alfie claimed six Gunnislake wickets. A true family affair, as a proud father and grandfather watched on.
Earlier it had started well for Gunnislake, with captain Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah taking three quick wickets to leave Newquay struggling on 24 for 3. Newquay’s middle order staged a recovery of sorts but had only 88 on the board when they lost their fifth wicket. Enter Charlie Bishop (previous career best 51), accompanied by Sushant Chogale. They started circumspectly, but Bishop in particular made effective use of the short leg side boundary. For Gunnislake, Paul Hollow did a sterling job keeping the run rate down, but both batsmen rode their luck. A succession of balls fell into gaps in the field and a couple of difficult chances were put down. Bishop passed his half century and the milestones kept being passed. The 100 partnership, 200 for the team and then finally with a flurry of leg-side sixes the maiden century for Bishop.
Having seen his partner to one hundred Chogale offered a catch in the covers, which was taken gratefully, but the damage had been done. A partnership of 148 had put Newquay in the driving seat, with Chogale’s contribution a valuable 41. Gunnislake took two more quick wickets to claim four bowling points, but Newquay had racked up an impressive 254 in their allotted 40 overs. Dinesh claimed four wickets for Gunnislake, but in general it was an afternoon of toil for the visitors.
254 was a daunting target for a weakened Gunnislake batting line-up, but Jamie Wright playing his first game for Gunnislake for five years, strode out to face the music, with Kevin Beare his partner. But it was to be an ecclesiastical day, as Alfie Bishop picked up where his brother Charlie left off. On a pitch with variable bounce Alfie Bishop showed the value of bowling straight. Add in some movement off the seam and Gunnislake were all at sea. After eight overs Gunnislake had slumped to 26 for 6, with all the wickets falling to Alfie Bishop, five clean bowled. As the fat lady warmed up her vocal chords a bemused Jamie Wright was joined at the crease by Stephen Lees.
At this stage even a single batting point seemed a distant target, but Gunnislake finally stopped the rot. Runs accumulated slowly and the Newquay team grew frustrated. Some optimistic appeals drew no response from the umpires, but the eventual victory was never in doubt. A single batting point was secured as Gunnislake crept past 40. Indeed the 50 partnership was reached and a second batting point was in sight when Wright was bowled for 31. Undeterred Lees plodded on but with the score on 102 he ran out of partners, as Newquay closed out the win in the 36th over, Lees left on 32 not out. Alfie Bishop finished with 6 for 34, to conclude a fine day for Newquay and the Bishop family.
With a 149 runs win Newquay take a maximum 20 points while Gunnislake had to settle for six. In a crowded mid and lower table this result sees Gunnislake slip into the relegation zone. The return of some senior players cannot come soon enough!
Newquay III 254-8 (C Bishop 102*, S Chogale 41, N Russell 34, S Millatt 24; D Thirupuvanarajah 4-66, L Roberts 2-55), Gunnislake 105 (S Lees 32no, J Wright 31; A Bishop 6-34, S Millatt 3-11). Newquay (20 points) beat Gunnislake (six) by 149 runs.