GVBBL | Gallery | Newman fireworks lead Hurley’s Hotel Hounds to statement round one win

An innings that saw him reach the boundary nine times and clear it on a further four occasions, Newman ultimately proved the difference between the two teams as the Hounds prevailed by four runs in a final-ball thriller.

Seemingly cruising to victory, the match was turned on its head in the final over, as Panthers wicketkeeper Oliver Willett deposited the second last ball of the match over the deep mid-wicket fence to give his team a chance of snatching an unlikely victory.

Needing a six, Willett could not complete the heroics, as Kyabram Fire Brigade quick Chare Smith delivered a perfect yorker to secure a Hounds win.

“It’s great to come away with a win in the first round, especially against a team as talented as Cobram,” Hounds coach Peter Learmonth said.

“I’m always nervous in T20 cricket because it can change so quickly, and we saw that today, so for the boys to hold firm in the finish there it was very impressive.”

Walking to the crease with rain sprinkling on their heads, Newman was joined by Tyler Jones (24) in what was a blistering first wicket stand of 53.

Losing his trusty partner in the eighth over, Newman took the opportunity to step on the accelerator, targeting all areas of the ground to put the Hounds in the box seat.

Wian Van Zyl copped the full brunt of the Newman avalanche, going for four boundaries (three fours and six) in the space of four deliveries.

But just as he had his eyes set on a ton and the Hounds thinking of a GVBBL record score of 200-plus, Newman holed out in the deep off the bowling of Lachlan Busk to fall 10 short.

“Newmo is just a superstar, he’s probably coming to the end of his career now, but he is still one of the best country cricketers going around and he proved that again today,” Learmonth said of Newman’s innings.

“Just the way he was striking the ball was incredible to see, I was fearing for some of the people in the crowd at one point there when he was really in full flight.”

Losing their main man, the Hounds slightly faltered through the final overs, as Panthers skipper Adam De Cicco (3-18) executed beautifully at the death to restrict the men in light blue to 172 from their 20 overs.

Needing a fast start to challenge the healthy Hounds total, disaster struck early for the Panthers as they lost openers Isaac Willett and Van Zyl within the first 10 balls to be reeling at 2-5.

This would bring Numurkah star Michael Eckard to the crease, who quickly went about rebuilding the innings.

Carrying over his strong Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield form, Eckard was electric from the get-go, smashing 37 off 16 balls to bring CPW back into the contest.

But whenever it seemed like the Panthers were getting on top, the class of the Hounds rose to the fore, as Premier Cricket talent Michael Archer (3-29) and Bendigo’s James Barri took key middle order wickets to help steady the ship.

Some lusty blows by Panthers cult figure Damian Cupido kept the faint flicker of a come-from-behind win alive, as he struck an entertaining 39 off 26.

This was backed up by Willett, who’s 32 off 26 balls remarkably gave CPW a chance off the final delivery, but ultimately it was not meant to be.

Learmonth said the result was a perfect way to start the new campaign.

“We know we’ve got a couple of big stars to come into our side, so we’ll only get stronger from here,” he said.

“That was probably the weakest team we’ll put on the park, so to still come away with a win, it puts us in great shape.”