Cornwall clinch promotion as Cheshire fall short at Redruth

NCCA Cluberly Western Division Championship - Division 2

Sun - Tues 16-18 August 2026

Cornwall 347 (87.2 overs) & 7-0, Cheshire 184 (58.5 overs) & 169. Cornwall won by 10 wickets

Scorecard   YouTube highlights (days 1,2 & 3)  Division 2 Table

Cornwall clinched promotion and consigned Cheshire to another season in Division 2 with a convincing 10-wicket victory at Redruth.

There were positives for David Wainwright’s side after the long journey south, but ultimately Cheshire found the going tough against a strong Cornwall team, with some frustrating weather interruptions doing little to help their cause.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Cornwall built an imposing first-innings total of 347. Former Kent pair Alex Blake and Will MacVicar led the way, Blake compiling an excellent 108 and MacVicar making 59, while Alfie Macdonald added a valuable 58.

On a big Redruth ground, Cheshire’s bowlers stuck admirably to their task. It was the spinners who enjoyed most success, skipper Wainwright claiming 3-38 and Dan Wilson returning 3-30.

One of the major positives of Cheshire’s season has been the emergence of Under-18s skipper and 2nd XI player Liam Clorley, both with the bat and behind the stumps. The Toft youngster underlined his promise with an outstanding display with the gloves, completing four catches and three stumpings during Cornwall’s innings.

Ultimately, though, Cheshire’s first innings proved their undoing.

They closed the opening day on 55-2, but the second morning was lost to unexpected mist and rain. The stop-start nature of proceedings thereafter made batting difficult, although Cornwall’s strong attack ensured Cheshire were never allowed to settle.

In-form Alex Money continued his excellent run with 53, while Dan Newton made 54, the pair providing the backbone of Cheshire’s 184. Ryan Tonkin claimed 4-41, Ben Ellis 3-48 and Elliot 3-41 as the visitors were dismissed 14 runs short of the follow-on target.

Cheshire at least managed to scrape a valuable batting point, but with a gloomy evening closing in and an uncertain forecast for the final day, Cornwall wasted little time in asking them to bat again.

Dan Wilson and Henry Murray safely negotiated the remaining overs to reach 23-0 at stumps, offering Cheshire hope of mounting a fightback.

More rain delayed the start on day three before Murray went on to make 37. Had Cheshire been able to build a lead of around 150, the game might just have developed an intriguing final twist.

Instead, wickets fell at regular intervals as the ball began to turn and runs became increasingly difficult to find.

Henry Dobson offered stubborn resistance with 26 and Wainwright battled hard for 34, but Cornwall continued to tighten their grip. Ellis Whiteford took 4-35 and Hooper 4-30 as Cheshire were eventually bowled out for 169.

That left Cornwall requiring just seven runs for victory and the hosts knocked them off without loss minutes after tea to seal the match – and promotion – with a game to spare.

Congratulations to Cornwall on securing their place in Division 1.

For Cheshire, attention now turns to their final Championship fixture of the season against Wales NC at Alderley Edge from Sunday–Tuesday, 23–25 August, where Wainwright’s side will be looking to finish on a high and challenge for third place in the division.

Cheshire team

David Wainwright (capt, Castlefield), Henry Murray (Alderley Edge), Alex Money (Chester Boughton Hall), Dan Newton (Lindow), Henry Dobson (Oxton), Luke McCoy (Widnes), Liam Clorley (wk, Toft), Andy Jackson (Hyde), Andy Dufty (Oulton Park), Dan Wilson (Northern), Jack Collett (Sandbach).

Scorer: Inge Bevers Coach: Harry Dearden

Many thanks to Cornwall’s Godfrey Furze and the Redruth ‘squad’ for their superb hospitality throughout the three days – including the team breakfasts!