Ridiculously Wet Cornwall Weather

I've tried to follow the Cornwall Cricket season this time around. My apologies but the never ending rain patterns have resulted in an increasing number of abandoned or postponed fixtures.

To be honest, I've had enough.

The wet stuff is relentless.

It's no wonder visitors to this area are turning their back on Cornwall. It's the wettest region in Europe.

Good luck Cricket people 👍 

St Stephen v Menheniot Looe 2nd's

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024

Cornwall Cricket League Division 4 East

St Stephen 79 all out in 35.2 overs

Menheniot Looe 80-3 off 16 overs

St Stephen is an attractive village around 7 miles north west of St Austell. A dry day wasn't to be missed. There were still cricket fixtures being postponed for sodden pitches this weekend. Thankfully, it was game on at The Recreation Ground. I learned this was the visitors first opportunity for a playable game since the season started, and goodness me, how they seemed to enjoy it.

Weather

Sunshine and cloud. Bit of a chilly breeze when the sun disappeared.

 

Attendance

Couple of dozen punters, some sat in cars or around the pavilion.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity?

For me, it's a yes. There is a bench beside the sight screen at the top of the field which offers a good view. The club also put around a dozen chairs out around the pavilion area. I found another bench at the bottom end of the pitch, but with the slope of the playing area, this particular vantage point wasn't too good. 

The joy of the St Stephen ground is getting a spot at the top end, nearest the village, for that you'd be best to bring along a chair. The backdrop of the sweeping countryside beyond the square is wonderful. You can always park your car in the spacious areas surrounding the action, but best beware of those big hits that could come your way.

Facilities

Smart looking modern pavilion offering refreshments and toilet facilities, digital scoreboard, large free car park behind the entrance to the ground. If you bring children, there are plenty of adjacent playground attractions in clear view of the field. Should the pavilion refreshments not fulfil your needs there is a grocery shop just across the road.

Location

Pretty simple really, take the Newquay posted turning after just leaving St Austell on the road towards Truro. The Newquay road goes straight through St Stephen. At the first crossroads in the village, turn right, the Recreation Ground, which hosts St Stephen CC comes into view on your right.

Match

With the home side at 13 for 5 Menheniot Looe were in dreamland. No disrespect, it must be said some very rash strokes were played & the decision making appeared decidedly haphazard. 

At one stage it appeared the entire game would be over before the first drinks break. To their credit the tail certainly wagged for St Stephen. They dug in and accumulated runs on a strict risk assessment basis. It was hard going but at least they gave the visitors some kind of a total to tackle. It little troubled Menheniot Looe, whom strolled through the remaining remnants of the encounter.

  

Liskeard v St Austell 3rds

Saturday 4th May 2024

Cornwall Cricket League Division 3 East

Liskeard (batted first) 98 all out off 29.4 overs

St Austell 99-3 from 41.1 overs

Cornwall was the wettest region in Europe last winter, it then decided to hang on throughout early spring. I passed the Liskeard ground at Lux Park around 3 weeks ago, it was in no condition to be prepared for the new season, in fact, like most of South East Cornwall, it resembled bog land.

What an achievement from the Liskeard ground staff to present such a superb cricket square and outfield for todays game. Excellent effort.

I was looking forward to seeing Liskeard in action, they had a tremendous record of big hitting scoring rates, they'd romped triumphantly through Division 4 last season.

Weather

Sunshine for the most part with the odd passing cloud. Reasonably mild, still needed a jumper or top though. Such a relief from the awfully wet weather that ruined the official opening of the season.

Attendance

We got above a dozen at one stage, mainly in the changing room/sports bar area. A few took a walk around the pitch from time to time.

Bring Your Own Chair Necessity?

Not really warm enough to sit around too long at the moment. Once things hot up a bit then yes, you will need a chair. There are only two wooden plank benches at the ground. One beside the Football Ground fence, the other set back under the trees on the opposite side of the field.

Facilities

There is a Sports Bar in the adjoining Lux Park complex. A few spectators had liquid refreshments. Not sure about food, snacks etc. There is an old school scoreboard just beside the entrance. Nice to find plentiful free car parking behind the ground courtesy of the large Lux Park Activity & Sport Centre. Most of it, out of reach of those incoming bonnet-denting Big 6's.

Location

The cricket field is directly adjacent to Liskeard Athletic football ground. Go through the town centre, past the Fire Station & Luxstowe Vets, after going straight ahead at the mini roundabout take the Launceston turn on the left, go past the Football Ground and take the next left turn, turn left again and follow the road a short while, take yet another left into the Sports Centre car parking area. The cricket ground is behind the Rugby pitch & to the left far corner of the Football Ground.

Match

Liskeard started so well but a rash loss of wickets but a block on the run rate. It got worse and a long tail had little hope of containing some excellent St Austell bowling. The visitors had a classy blend of impressive youngsters and capable older heads. Not often you see such fine bowling and fielding from a 'thirds' selection. St Austell steadily climbed to victory for the loss of just 3 wickets in the 42nd over.

Back for the 2024 Season

Pleased to announce that 'Bring Your Own Chair' will be back for what should be a cracking Cornwall Cricket Season.

That means travels, photos & reports from a host of new grounds for this site.

The ball is already spinning, I managed to find a dry Saturday to pop along to Liskeard CC for their encounter with St Austell 3rds. I'm hoping to have the full visit report up before the end of the weekend.