St Blazey v Luckett

Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 2023

Cornwall Cricket League Division 2 East

Luckett 98 All Out (Batted First) 21.3 Overs

St Blazey 99-2 off 14.2 Overs

Start Time: 1pm

This was a re-scheduled fixture, the original date for the game was a wash out during that extremely wet April we suffered. St Blazey have had an impressive start to the season which is reflected in the League Table. Their recent win on Saturday was complimented by a knock of 125 by big hitting Matt Bennetts. Needless to say, this was going to be a testing afternoon for the visitors.  Unfortunately Luckett have found the month of May a little more difficult and arrived at the Phillip Varcoe Sports Ground still looking for that first victory. They were further hindered for this encounter by only having 9 men. Two games in 3 days for a rural village side unsurprisingly hits player availability, especially if some of the squad have farming commitments this time of the year.

Weather: Warm and sunny, that nagging cool breeze had finally started to fade.

Attendance: Around 30, more were arriving after 3pm just as the game ended. At least the bar was open. We only totalled 36 overs for the whole game.

Match Rating: 5/10

Not exactly a cut and thrust classic. With Luckett only having the nine players against such an in-form impressive St Blazey side the away-win odds on Paddy Power would have likely been considerable (no disrespect intended). 

On a day when calm, careful batting could have been expected, Luckett seemed intent on following a totally different strategy. Unfortunately some valuable wickets fell rather cheaply and 98 hardly appeared enough of a total to rattle the league leaders.

Blazey set about the response with vigour, Mr Bennetts very much centre stage. Boundaries accumulated, including one ozone layer six which landed smack on a car bonnet adjacent to the Pavilion (ouch). It took little more than 14 overs for the stumps to be pulled, game over.

Provisions: Sadly I copped for more sandwiches put together from the Corned Beef Mountain we must have back home. I don't mind them now and again but I'd already been given a butty box of them for my trip to Hayle CC last Saturday. Maybe I should be inducted into how to make my own? (Hope she doesn't read this). 

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? Don't think you'd actually need one at St Blazey. They have rather a nice selection of benches and picnic tables dotted around. Impressive.

General Facilities and Viewing: The ground is just off the 'Cornwall Speed Camera Centre of Excellence Stretch' on the road linking St Blazey with St Austell and what the Tourism Publicists call Kernows Biggest Market, lets leave that bold claim for others to debate shall we.

Lovely brilliant white Pavilion here, it houses a small bar area, toilets and team changing rooms. The scorers looked comfortable under its shaded porch with their lap top stuff for the digital scoreboard across the pitch.

The wicket was on the edge of the square nearest the road for this game, this offered a short boundary which neither team took full advantage of. The pitch hugs the low perimeter wall really tightly on this side (*not the photo above) so there's minimal space for a chair, however you do get a good view of the action if you choose to stand for a while. 

The opposite side of the field offers a considerably large parking area with bench seating on a shallow bank. There is plenty of grass for a picnic or spreading out chairs & accessories. Great on a nice sunny day like I was lucky enough to get. There is a good spread of quality benches between the aforementioned parking area and the Pavilion.

Generally I found that this tidy well kept ground offered more than I was expecting at this level.   

Hayle v Redruth

Saturday 27th May 2023

Cornwall Cricket League Premier Division

Hayle 131 All Out 39.5 Overs

Redruth 212-8 (Batted First) 50 Overs

Start Time: 1pm

Made good time down to Hayle, especially as this was the Bank Holiday weekend and start of another weeks UK school holiday period. I've travelled about a bit in my time but never have I seen the mammoth scale of excavations, digging and road building going on widening the A30 in mid Cornwall, incredible scale. My early start paid dividends, I seemed to have got ahead of the holiday convoys before the traffic jams began.

Weather: The Forecaster said it would be hot and sunny. They certainly got the sunshine bit correct, shame their predictions failed to extend to comfortable warmth. There was a very chill breeze plaguing The Towans Ground for this particular encounter. I did the full perimeter of the pitch and no matter where I stood the same nagging breeze was very much in evidence. I always bring extra clothing in the car, it definitely came in handy for this game.

Attendance: Around the 40 mark at the start, rising to 50 by the drinks break then 60 as the Tea Interval loomed.

Match Rating: 6/10 

I was there until the Tea Break and witnessed the entire Redruth innings. Very forthright strong batting opened the game, Redruth provided promise of a mighty total. The Hayle bowling attack dug deep and gradually slapped the breaks on. 

Some loose batting mid division cut the stroke play extravaganza we'd enjoyed earlier. At one stage it looked unlikely the 200 would arrive but a gallant late surge saw Redruth post an accomplished 212 for the loss of 8 wickets.

Provisions: I'm led to believe this is quite a popular section of these Visit Reports. Todays small rucksack menu included Corned Beef Salad Rolls, Scotch Eggs, Crisps & those Cheesy flavoured delicately salted biscuits. There was of course the trusty flask of Coffee and a couple of Water containers. I was earlier tempted by the hot pasties in the Pavilion but felt rather full after scoffing everything in the bag, I decided against it (at least for this particular visit).

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? Definitely yes! Beside a few scattered seats on the Pavilion patio there are only 3 benches around the ground. Two are in front of the Scoreboard and another is directly in front of the Pavilion fence. Needless to say there were quite a few multi coloured chairs coming out of various car boots in the parking area.

General Facilities & Viewing:

Partly as a result of me having an argument with that daft lady who does the Google Maps commentary on your phone I had some difficulty finding The Towans Cricket Ground. I eventually found it after 'chancing-it' up the Construction Site dirt road where all the new build stuff is appearing. If you've been once its easy to locate the ground but I struggled on this introductory jaunt to be perfectly honest. The ground is up a hill with some impressive views of the local estuary. It has grass banking on two sides, one directly adjacent to the parking area and a (more challenging to get to) section behind one of the sight screens. 

Both the banks offer great views of the action. The field of play has a fresh, crisp open aspect feel to it with a nice little scoreboard charismatically highlighted against the glorious vista. However, without doubt, the jewel in the crown is the majestic yet modern style pavilion. 

The team changing rooms take up the upper tier with a jolly nice bar area below opening out to the patio pitchside. Its a picture on a nice sunny day like the one which I enjoyed (despite that cool breeze). As seems to be the case on most of my ground visits so far this season, there are perfectly clean toilet facilities with all the associated essentials. The toilets can be accessed at the rear of the Pavilion (middle door).

     

Roche v Newquay

Saturday 20th May 2023

Cornwall Cricket League County Division 1

Roche 150 All Out (30.1 Overs)

Newquay 277-9 (50 Overs, batted first)

Start Time: 1pm

I've been to watch Football at the Roche Sports Complex before on the adjacent pitch the other side of the impressive Clubhouse. I'd spotted the Cricket Ground then, amidst deepest cold winter. Even in such harsh conditions I knew it had the makings for a worthwhile visit in summertime. It didn't disappoint. 

Weather: A glorious sunny day, not too hot with a gentle thread of a breeze (if you picked the right spot). Think I overdid the layers regards jumpers & wooly socks.

Attendance: 40 to 50.

Match Rating: 5/10

Not sure if it was the batting track, the depth of the home sides bowling attack or the clinically efficient way Newquay almost casually accumulated quite a large total? Anyway, despite a promising response from Roche for the second wicket they fell somewhat short of making a durable challenge.

 

Provisions: Bag of chips from the impressive takeaway in the village. Stuff from home included cheese salad sandwiches, a fresh pear and a flask of coffee, oh, not forgetting a bottle of water.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? 

Bring one. Apart from a lone park bench, a few railway sleepers on bricks and a couple of picnic tables next to the clubhouse there's nothing else.

General Facilities & Viewing:

There are a couple of stunningly majestic outcrops of rock towering beside the Cricket Ground. It's rumoured a Hermit lived in a chapel type construction at the very peak of the largest rock. 

They certainly make for quite a backdrop. Beyond the Clubhouse/Pavilion the distant moors portray the start of Cornwall China Clay workings which stretch across to the St Austell region.

The pitch is a little undulating in part so I'd recommend walking the perimeter to find your best preferred vantage point. I found the area either side of the sightscreen beside the new houses (opposite end to the clubhouse) the ideal place to plonk your chair. This end also has the lone bench and the railway sleeper seating.

The big clubhouse provides ample free parking, bar facilities and clean modern toilets. 

There is also a really good fish and chip shop/restaurant in the village for early arrivals, unfortunately it closes at 1.30pm on matchdays (normally a Saturday). We shared a medium bag of chips for £3.10 which was more than enough for 2 people. 

Luckett v Callington Seconds

Thursday 18th May

Eden Motorhomes Division Two T20 Cup

Luckett (batting first) 129-8 

Callington Seconds 133-3 (17 overs)

Start time: 6.15pm

Half the players appeared to be competing in a replay of an F1 Grand Prix down the narrow road to Luckett. I hesitantly pulled the Match Shed vehicle over to allow the speed train to zoom past en route to the changing rooms. Upon arrival at the grounds parking zone it resembled a crime scene from one of those Bank Job films, the ones where there's loads of hastily abandoned cars. Needless to say we started the match on time.

Weather: The rare dry spell continues. Sunshine and wispy cloud, mind you, there was a cunning chilly breeze along the higher section of the pitch. I resorted to pulling on a couple of wintertime coats from the boot of the Match Shed.

Attendance: Around the 20 odd mark, few more sat in cars, hard to judge totals.

Match Rating: 7/10

Quite an enjoyable game. Callington seemed to have a few first teamers in the line up. Some no nonsense attacking play from Luckett who accumulated a reasonably decent total to defend. 

The visitors took keen advantage of wayward bowling in the reply and gradually took firm control of the proceedings. They came out comfortable winners with plenty left in reserve.

Provisions: Been the Supermarket earlier, had my tea before travelling.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? Probably, yes. There are chairs put outside the Pavilion Hut but obviously these are usually taken up by the batting side. There are some low plank type benches on the higher & lower sides of the pitch but not many and they are rather low. There is a really nice two seater memorial bench cut into the banking at the village end of the ground, this offers a great viewpoint of the action.

General Facilities & Viewing: Didn't know what to expect at Luckett CC but on a scenic setting basis I definitely got lucky (no pun intended). Assisted by a sunny evening the ground looked quite stunning surrounded by such lovely views. First thing you notice is that the pitch happens to be on a slope, its barely noticeable at the village end until you realise you can only see the heads of the boundary fielders on the far side. When you walk along that opposite boundary, especially behind the wicket, the slope really does become evident. 

There are a couple of wooden scoreboard looking structures, a big one and a small one further along but neither were in use for this game, possibly down to midweek staffing etc. 

Some of the batting side were given the job of putting the score-number boards on a nearby bench. The Pavilion is of a long wooden hut design and is basically changing rooms. I may be wrong but I didn't spot a bar or catering facility for the public (which I wouldn't expect at this level). 

Nice to see brick built pitchside toilet facilities adjacent to the Pavilion, these were clean and had all the necessary stuff you'd expect cleansing wise. 

Car parking is pitchside and alongside the net facilities. There is a big sign announcing 'Vehicles Parked at Owners Risk', so watch out for resident sloggers.

All in all it's a nice place to watch your cricket.

Lancashire v Somerset at Old Trafford

Saturday 13th May 2023 

County Championship Division 1 (Attended Day 3 of 4)

Final Result: Match Drawn

Lancashire 1st Innings (batting second) 326 All Out 

Somerset 1st Innings 361 All Out   2nd Innings 398-5 Declared

Logistics: A 300 mile trip from Cornwall to catch my favourite couple of County Championship sides playing each other. The fact Manchester United were playing Wolves across the road in the Premier League slightly complicated my parking, access & egress plans. I ended up parking a few miles west of Old Trafford & arriving via the impressive tram system the area has benefitted from, just £3.90 for an all day ticket. It literally dropped me a few yards from the Cricket Ground.

Duration: I was at the game for 1 day only, the 3rd of 4. A rain affected first day and most of the second day had witnessed Somerset build up a hefty total of 361. Lancashire replied during the majority of the third day which I was in attendance for.

Weather: I picked a great day for Cricket. Non stop warm sunshine. The wafting aroma of sun tan lotion was very much evident across the sections of the ground open for the match. I managed about an hour before I surrendered to the calming shade under the shadow of The Point section of the stadium.

Match Rating (for the day I attended): 6/10 This looked very much a batting track. Lancashire had lost early wickets in the after tea session of the previous day. Slowly, steadily they clawed themselves back into contention with an excellent 105 contribution from New Zealand International Daryl Mitchell fresh from the Kiwi tour of Pakistan. Somerset applied combative bowling primarily from the pace of Craig Overton, Kiwi Matt Henry and the reliable spin of Jack Leach but the home side stood firm eventually achieving a respectable 326. Sadly the final day saw the game fizzle out into a boring draw with neither side seeming interested in making a game of the situation. Somerset Captain Tom Abell decided to keep Lancashire in the field all day without chance of reply. The visitors eventually declaring on 398-5.

Grub Menu: Had a stroll during the lunch break to watch the hordes of footy fans traipsing up Brian Statham Way towards the United football stadium. Took the advantage of a busy, reasonably priced, decent looking Burger Van. Got a tray of Curry and Chips for £4.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity? Don't be daft 😊

General Facilities & Viewing: Its a lovely modern stadium which even now is still being developed even further. I remember the old place with a fond heart but progress is progress. There are some great vantage points to be had.

Some snaps of the Ground: