A Gunnislake collapse, losing their last five wickets for two runs, saw Newquay III to an unlikely victory at Hawkmoor on Saturday. In a match dominated by bowlers, Gunnislake, led by new signing Paul Hollow, were on course for a second win when calamity struck. Gunnislake’s nemesis was sixteen year old Harry Willmott, who took a career best 7 wickets for a meagre 11 runs.
On a bright sunny day, the Gunnislake ground looked in fine fettle; Gunnislake won the toss and asked Newquay to bat. With a fast outfield a high scoring match was in prospect, and true to form the first ball, from Gunnislake captain, Dinesh Thirupuvanarajah was spanked to the boundary by Newquay captain, Tom Backway. But it was an even contest, with boundaries mixed in with false shots and chances. Gunnislake’s breakthrough came in the seventh over, when Graham Murray bowled Evan Sefton, to leave Newquay 32 for 1. Dinesh then joined in, bowling Willmott for a duck (was that to trigger his later revenge?) and when Backway was bowled by Murray, Newquay were stuttering at 38 for 3. In true Bazball style, Newquay clung to the best form of defence is attack. Nazim Isael hit three quick fours before being caught in the covers, leaving Newquay 68 for 4.
At this point off-spinner James Boundy was brought into the attack and caused immediate problems for Newquay. Two clean bowled in his first over and Gunnislake were on top. One more followed and Newquay limped to the halfway drinks break at 97 for 7. From there the tail wagged, with useful contributions from each of the last four batsmen, but occasional seamer Jamie Watts and Graham Murray finished the job for Gunnislake, leaving Newquay all out for a seemingly under par 147. Eight of the wickets were clean bowled, and it was a fine team performance by the Gunnislake bowlers, with everyone chipping in, including three each for Murray and Boundy.
After a fine tea supplied by Margaret and Peter Godwin, the Gunnislake reply got under way. Gunnislake were now favourites, although Newquay have a strong bowling attack, with a quartet of Afghans to the fore. But it was local lad Harry Willmott who struck first. His accurate pace bowling left Gunnislake reeling at 48 for 4, Willmott taking all four wickets from his opening six overs. The win predictor had swung firmly in Newquay’s favour. However, Paul Hollow, who had recently moved to Gunnislake from west Cornwall, had other ideas. He played with a classic straight bat, defending watchfully, but driving anything over-pitched and scoring heavily through the covers when given width. Kevin Beare held up the other end well and a rebuild began.
The fifty partnership was achieved and the Gunnislake score rose steadily. Hollow passed his fifty and looked to be winning the match when Nazim Ismael removed his off stump, with Hollow departing for a fine 71. The next over Beare drove the ball hard, but straight at the chest of Willmot, who clung on well. 127 for 6 and Newquay began to wonder if they could perform the great escape. And indeed they could; Newquay maintained their discipline, brought all their fielders into the ring and applied pressure. A couple of lusty blows from Dinesh were not enough, and wickets tumbled as Newquay polished off the Gunnislake tail.
Gunnislake fell 15 runs short in a great match where the advantage ebbed and flowed. There were career best performances from Hollow, with the bat for Gunnislake, and Willmott for Newquay, but it was Newquay that took home the points. Meanwhile Harry Willmott took the match ball home as a reminder of a special day.
Iconic Opticians Gunnislake Man of the Match: Paul Hollow
Iconic Opticians Player of the Match: Harry Willmott (Newquay)
Scores: Newquay III 143 (N Russell 23; J Boundy 3-7, G Murray 3-50), Gunnislake 128 (P Hollow 71, K Beare 26; H Willmott 7-11). Newquay III (18 points) beat Gunnislake (8 points) by 15 runs.
