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.