Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League review for 2019

IT WAS a mixed summer for the Post area teams, although for Holsworthy it was a season to remember as they reached the third-tier of Cornish cricket for the first time in their history.

Werrington looked to defend their ECB Cornwall Premier League title having won a fourth title in seven years back in 2018, while for the first time ever, the Tribute T20 Kernow Crash was competed for with Werrington reaching the Finals Day at Grampound Road.

Despite knocking up 151-7 in the first semi-final against St Just thanks to forties from Paul Smith and Mark Gribble, St Just eased home with two overs to spare thanks to an unbeaten 139 partnership between England Under 19 all-rounder Lewis Goldsworthy (52no) and Dan Lello (85no).

There was also disappointment in the Hawkey Cup where they lost to old rivals Callington in a thrilling semi-final at Moores Park.

The hosts chased down 122 with a ball to spare, meaning Paul Smith’s men only had their league campaign to focus on.

However a slow start cost them dear as Penzance with former first-class cricketers Greg Smith and Tom Wells leading the way, won the title for the first time since the Premier League was formed for the 2001 season.

Werrington finished third behind Redruth, which was a decent accomplishment considering the injuries availability issues which plagued them throughout.

Cornwall batsman Matt Robins was named player of the year for his 582 league runs and 24 league wickets while Paul Smith made 508 runs.

Robins was joined by Tom Dinnis, Ben Smeeth and Jono Baldock in taking 20 wickets.

Looking ahead to next year, it appears they could challenge again following the signings of county spinner Andrew Libby and the recruitment of Australian left-arm quick bowler Tom Scoble, who has replaced Jono Baldock as overseas player.

Neighbours Callington survived by the skin of their teeth for a second consecutive season in the ECB Cornwall Premier League as well as reaching the Hawkey Cup final.

Joe White’s men were in a season-long battle with Falmouth to avoid going down but a two-wicket victory at Wadebridge in their penultimate game kept them up, despite managing to pass 200 with the bat once.

Such is their determination to avoid a repeat, they have made six new signings, including Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Sanoj Darshika, wicket-keeper Rhys Davies from Twickenham CC, South African-born left-armer Rob Mutch from Launceston, promising 18-year-old batsman Kian Burns from Devon A Division side Bradninch and Luckett batsmen Luke Brenton and Ryan Brown.

County Division One proved tough for both Werrington seconds and Launceston, although both will compete again in the second-tier in 2020.

Werrington appeared dead and buried going into August, but a superb end to the season ensured they survived once more. Skipper Mark Hodgson led from the front with 471 runs and 24 wickets while Cameron Wakefield impressed with 26 scalps as did John Moon through his 447 runs.

Despite boasting two of the best cricketers in the division in Rob Mutch (46 wickets) and Sam Pengelly (604 runs and 50 wickets), Launceston looked set to be relegated after a last-day defeat by Gorran at Lawhitton, which meant Ludgvan stayed up at their expense on a head-to-head record.

But by the end of October they were awarded a reprieve by league officials after Troon failed to achieve their ECB Clubmark accreditation, meaning they were relegated into Division Two.

Launceston’s survival in turn meant that instead of three teams going down from the east divisions to realign the leagues, it was two.

Bude, Luckett and St Minver all endured up and down seasons in the most competitive Division Two East in years.

Apart from bottom side Ladock, who won just three times and champions Newquay, who ended up with 401 points and an immediate return to County One, all teams were capable of beating everybody.

St Minver appeared to have one of the better sides in the division, but required a storming run-in to finish eighth.

Bude paid for a lack of seam bowling options but their batting got them through, while Luckett were in line to go down having finished third bottom.

However their squad has been decimated in the off-season with Andrew Hoskin and Leion Cole looking set to join Luke Brenton and Ryan Brown at Callington while Jack Sleep, Matt Shapland and Jason O’Melia have moved to Division Four East side Saltash St Stephens.

Holsworthy stormed to the Division Three crown, losing just three times. Jack Greening was the division’s leading wicket-taker with 50. He provided a superb partnership with the pacey Matt Shepherd, who was third on the list with 42. Rob Mitchell (30) and George Wilcox (23) both contributed.

With the bat, Jack May racked up 720 league runs, second only to Boconnoc’s John Niblett (1,005) while Aiden Gerry, Shepherd and skipper Ryan Walter all passed 500 runs.

The county final against St Ives at Pencarrow didn’t go to plan as they were well beaten, but if they can keep their side together and add one or two they should flourish in the league above.

South Petherwin came third. Cornwall Over 50s skipper Paul Clements was to the fore as usual with 606 league runs and 30 wickets, with Nick Gerry also doing a great job as opener. Left-arm spinner Adrian Clements nabbed 40 wickets.

Tintagel ended fifth. Player availability hit them hard but had a handy bowling attack with Jason Seldon (37), Ryan Pooley (32) and James Ellis (30) all doing their job effectively.

Launceston seconds and their Bude counterparts both finished in the bottom two following promotion.

Darren Jenkin made over 500 runs for the hosts but no bowler took more than 25 league wickets.

Bude skipper Gordon Wint was third in the league runs with 706 and also took 25 wickets. Veteran spinner Mike Taylor picked up 30 scalps, but a lack of support besides Matt Whitefield’s 500 runs cost them dear.

Callington seconds were in mid-table and paid for a lack of consistency in team selection. But with six new recruits and three more appearing to be on their way, they look set to be the team to beat next summer.

Werrington Thirds gained an instant promotion back into Division Three East by virtue of finishing as runners-up.

Their record was particularly impressive in that they had to do without two or three players for many games due to second team call-ups.

Former Premier League opener Nick Ward racked up 342 runs in ten games before going up to the second team, but such was their ability to grind out wins, no other batsmen was in the top 20 run scorers.

Ward also chipped in with 21 scalps while teenagers James Adams (21) and Tom Bailey both passed 20 wickets.

Luckett seconds finished fourth bottom despite an excellent individual effort from Martin Budge. Pressed into opening the bowling most weeks, Budge took 30 wickets as well as 488 runs. He was only bettered in the team by Patrick Thompson’s 499.

Skipper Steve Brown chipped in with 25.

Delabole struggled through the season and ended up last. Former captain Glen Burrell made 554 runs but they will look to bounce back in Division Five, where they will face South Petherwin seconds and Milton Abbot, who both secured solid mid-table finishes.

Petherwin, who were promoted the year before came fifth winning ten and losing seven of their 18 fixtures.

Gareth Clements (530), Roger Gerry (461) and James Cawsey (461) all passed 450 runs while Peter Dingle picked up 26 wickets.

For Milton Abbot, who were sixth, Paul Crocker (470) and Tom Rickard (28 wickets) were the star performers.

St Minver Seconds reformed ahead of the 2019 campaign and eased to the Division Six crown by 36 points from Liskeard, who also restarted.

Their success was built on a potent bowling attack and openers Jake Keast and Matthew Gilbert who both scored over 600 runs apiece and Nigel Hocking’s 33 wickets.

Seven of the top ten batsmen in the league by runs were from the Post area.

Werrington Fourths skipper Nigel Dennis hammered 849 at 121.29 while the highest score across the whole of the county in 2019 was scored by Tintagel Seconds vice-captain Aaron Washer who made an unbeaten 249 at Gunnislake. In total he averaged 88.71 for his 621 runs.

Launceston’s Lewis Matthews (545), Richard Pethick (506) and Adam Emmerson (501) all passed 500 runs.

With the ball, veteran seamers Brian Baker and Tony Scown showed they still have it as they combined for 39 wickets for Werrington fourths.

The divisions for the 2020 Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League are due to be announced in the coming days.