Penzance defeated by 25 runs at Lord's
ECB National Club Championship Penzance crowned Premier Champions 2025
The Rothesay National Club Championship Final 2025
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From the Barclays Media Centre at Lord's
Penzance have won the toss and will field
Packet Newspapers Blog of the Day
Penzance CC Facebook Photos of the Day
It was a case of what might have been for Penzance as they went down to a 25-run defeat to Ormskirk in the Rothesay National Club Championship Final at Lord’s. It was a game that ebbed and flowed before the Liverpool & District Premier champions eventually prevailed to the delight of a vociferous set of supporters.
On a warm, overcast September morning, Ormskirk were put in and got off to a flyer, reaching 74 before losing their first wicket in the 11th over. Mehran Sanwal got the breakthrough to have George Politis excellently caught by Tom Dinnis running back from mid-on for 29. Then, with the score at 97, George Lavelle was well held by Brad Wadlan low down at mid-wicket. The catch was disputed before being confirmed by the umpires. Then, Sam Holden was bowled, second ball.. Opening batter Calum Turner survived chances and went on to make 111, before being 5th out at 188. On 95, he was bowled by a no-ball. He missed his brother's wedding to play in the game.
To their credit, Penzance fought back to keep the total to 217 all out, with one ball unused. Dinnis and Wadlan took three wickets apiece.
Penzance suffered an early blow when Jack Paull retired injured with a leg injury with a score on 12 in the second over. Christian Purchase hit three 6s and three 4s in his 47 at a run a ball. He was dismissed with a score of 76 in the 13th over, carving Holden to Lavelle on the deep cover boundary. Charlie Sharland joined Brad Wadlan, but it was Ormskirk that got on top as Penzance faltered from 95/1 to 124/7 in the 24th over. Skipper Wadlan was seventh out, caught behind for 35. However, there was a late rally with Tommy Sturgess making 15 and Jonny Ludlam 17. With the last pair needing 37 off 29 balls, Sanwal hit a six, but the end came when he was dismissed, to give Holden 5 for 41. Dinnis was unbeaten on 17.
After a gloomy afternoon, the presentation ceremony was completed on the outfield in bright evening sunshine at Lord's.
It was a worthy effort by Penzance, but the loss of six top-order wickets for 29 runs proved to be too big a task for the tail.
Skipper Brad Wadlan agreed and reflected on what might have been. "Christian Purchase was dismissed just as he was getting going. Who knows what another few overs would have put us. The lasting memory was being proud of the boys".
As a club, Penzance were full of praise for the MCC’s hosting and hospitality. It will live long in the memory for those who were fortunate to attend the day at HQ.
Match Blog
Ormskirk win by 25 runs
Penzance 192 all out 36.3 Dinnis 17 no
28 required off 24 balls
Ludlam goes for 17 last man, Sanwell joins Dinnls 181-9
Penzance tail rally through Ludlam & Dinnis 181-8 off 35
Sturgess caught for 15 at 143-8
Ormskirk got on top, removing Sharland, Halstead-Cleak, Stone, Croom, the returning Paull and Wadlan at 124-7 in the 24th over
6 wickets fell crucially for 29 runs.
Christian Purchase played well to make 47, hitting three sixes but was a key dismissal at 76-1 in the 12th over.
Losing Jack Paull to a leg injury was an early blow in the second over.
Penzance fought back well to bowl the opposition out for 217 with one ball unused..
Calum Taylor makes 111 after being dismissed off a no-ball on 95. He missed his brother's wedding to play
102-3 off 17 overs
Two quick wickets for Mehran Sanwell - a disputed catch by Brad Wadlan, and then bowling Sam Holden without scoring.
The sun has briefly appeared for the first time. Opener Calum Turner is unbeaten on 57 off 44 balls.
Good start by Ormskirk
34-0 off six overs
Match Previews
Squad Announcement
Penzance have named the eleven that played in the semi-final, with the additions of Charlie Hearn and Giles Lawrence.
Penzance Cricket Club will make history on Saturday when they become the first Cornish team to play in the ECB National Club Championship Final, at Lord’s (11:00). The competition began back in 1969.
They face the Liverpool & District Premier League Champions, Ormskirk, who dramatically won the title for a third successive year on Sunday. In a rain-affected game on the Wirrall at Birkenhead Park, they hit a six off the final ball of their League season.
Penzance won back-to-back Cornwall Premier League titles by 13 points from Wadebridge when all Premier Division games on the final day were cancelled due to the weather.
In the National Club Championship, they had byes against Devon opponents Cornwood and Paignton. Christian Purchase made 153 not out to win at Bristol’s Golden Hill by eight wickets. Purchase followed up with 103 in the quarter final win by 49 runs over Bridgwater. Middleton (Sussex) were overwhelmed by eight wickets in the quarter-finals.
A remarkable home semi-final then saw Penzance beat the Essex side Wanstead & Snaresbrook by 179 runs after Penzance posted 410-6 in 40 overs. Purchase hit his third century in the competition this season, making 143 off 63 balls.
In the National stages, Ormskirk beat Merseyside rivals Northern, South Northumberland and Warwickshire’s Knowle & Dorridge in a tense semi-final by two wickets with four balls to spare.
It promises to be quite a Cornish weekend at Lord’s. The former Troon Player, Life Member and Vice-Chair, Peter Johns, is to be inducted into the National Village Cup Hall of Fame. The Presentation will take place on Sunday, following the 2025 Voneus Village Cup Final – between Holders Foxton Granta (Cambridgeshire) and Staley (Cheshire).
Peter will be only the seventh Player to be awarded the honour. The award is in recognition of his match-winning bowling spell of 5 for 28 in the 1972 Haig Village Cup Final when Troon beat Astwood Bank to become the first Village Cricket Champions. He also played in the 1976 and 1983 Finals. Village Cup History
