Wallsend Triumphs in Gilmour Cup Masters Final for Second Consecutive Year
Newcastle District Cricket Association, December 18, 2024
George Farley Oval, Newcastle – Despite the threat of rain and wind, the Gilmour Cup Masters Grand Final went ahead today in a thrilling match that saw Wallsend defend their title with a hard-fought victory over Cardiff-Boolaroo. In a tight finish Wallsend chased the runs in the final over to win by 4 wickets, securing their second consecutive Gilmour Cup Masters trophy.
In a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, where the two teams faced off for the ultimate prize, Cardiff-Boolaroo won the toss and opted to bat first in challenging weather conditions. They set a competitive total of 7/147 from their 20 overs, thanks largely to solid performances from Paul Rimmington, who finished unbeaten on 55 runs, and Debu Kumar, who contributed a valuable 39 runs.
However, Cardiff-Boolaroo’s batting efforts were undercut by a brilliant bowling performance from Wallsend’s Matt Holwell, who was awarded Player of the Match for his exceptional all-round performance. Holwell took 3 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4 overs, and also played a vital role in the field, taking a crucial catch. Additionally, Nathan Holloway supported well, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs.
The weather, which threatened to derail the match throughout the day, held off just long enough for the second innings to unfold. Wallsend, chasing 148 to win, got off to a steady start with Holwell again showing his value, scoring an unbeaten 31 runs from 22 balls. He was joined at the crease by Neil Brooks, who also finished not out on 31 runs from 23 balls, as Wallsend reached their target in 19.2 overs, finishing with 6/149.
Despite a standout performance from Cardiff-Boolaroo’s Debu Kumar, who claimed 4 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs, it was not enough to stop Wallsend from clinching the victory.
Matt Holwell’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, as his contributions with both bat and ball were key in Wallsend’s successful defence of their title. His performance proved to be a deciding factor in the narrow victory.
This win marks Wallsend’s second consecutive Gilmour Cup Masters championship, a remarkable achievement for the club. The rain and wind may have threatened to derail the final, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the teams and the fans in attendance at George Farley Oval.
As the teams and supporters celebrated the conclusion of the competition, Wallsend’s victory further solidifies their dominance in the Newcastle District Cricket Association’s Masters division.
Congratulations to both teams for a thrilling contest, and special kudos to Matt Holwell and Wallsend for securing back-to-back titles in what was a truly memorable final!
