Two defeats for Wiltshire CCC Men in latest round of NCCA T20 action versus Cornwall
NCCA T20 competition
Cornwall CCC v Wiltshire CCC
Werrington Cricket Club, 15th June 2025
Match 1
Cornish hospitality flowed during the T20 double header between Cornwall and Wiltshire. The matches were hosted by Werrington CC and spectators had the beautiful backdrop of the expanse of North Cornwall in a glorious panorama. The weather was fine and any lingering showers kept clear throughout the day. Plenty of sunshine with the sun occasionally hidden by clouds.
The first game saw Cornwall win the toss and opt to field. Wiltshire’s Tom Cheater continued where he left off in the previous game against Devon and opened with another breathtaking half century 62 (38 balls, 8x4, 3x6) Unfortunately his teammates couldn’t keep pace with him and only two others made it into double figures – Jonathan Sadler 19, and Nathan Feltham 11 as Wiltshire could only manage the disappointing total of 136 for 7 from their 20 overs.
Cornwall had a strong batting line-up with former Kent batter Alex Blake leading the charge. Fortunately the charge was soon halted by Rhys Baker who had Blake caught by Charan Chahal. However, Blake’s fellow batters rose to the challenge with Alex Bone 33, Xavie Clarke 19, Will McVicar 28 and skipper Paul Smith 41 all easing Cornwall towards their target, 140 for 5, which they achieved with 8 balls to spare. There were wickets for Jack Mynott and Will Naish, but the most successful bowler by far was captain Ed Young with two wickets for just 6 runs from his two overs.
Cornwall CCC beat Wiltshire CCC by 5 wickets
Match 2
After a very pleasant and very tasty lunch interval the cricket continued. Once again the toss was won by Cornwall and once again Wiltshire were asked to bat first. Wiltshire’s Wadworth Man of the Day, Tom Cheater is in a rich vein of form and hit another glorious half century, 58 (28 balls, 8x4, 3x6). Sadly, yet again there was no one to match his performance, but Jake Goodwin 18, Ed Young 20 (12 balls, 4x4) kept the score board ticking over as Cornwall’s Max Tryfonos 5 for 30, severely hampered Wiltshire’s efforts. Archie Fairfax Ross 20 not out (13 balls, 2x6) and Rhys Baker 18 not out (7 balls 2x4, 1x6) pushed the score on to a respectable 171 for 9. Rhys Baker drew cheers from his teammates with every boundary and at least helped to give Wiltshire hope.
That flicker of hope was soon removed. Rhys Baker had early success again when he bowled Alex Bone 6, but that was as good as it got as Alex Blake 59 (21 balls, 5x4, 5x6) and Xavie Clarke 73 not out ( 39 balls, 9x4, 3x6) took the score on to 108 in quick time before Rhys Baker took a catch on the boundary to give Ed Young the only other wicket to fall. The experienced Will McVicar 34 (24 balls, 2x4, 2x6) joined Clarke to achieve their target - 175 for 2 - with 5 overs to spare
This double defeat severely restricts Wiltshire’s hopes within this competition while at the same time confirming Cornwall’s credentials. Wiltshire complete their T20 programme with a double header with Dorset on Sunday 6th July at Westbury and District CC. They will need to shake off this defeat and accentuate the positives going in to their final T20 games before the 3 day Championship matches start.
Cornwall CCC beat Wiltshire CCC by 8 wickets
Roy Honeybone, June 2025
