Gorran have withdrawn from the Cornwall Cricket League (CCL) ahead of the 2022 season owing to player commitment issues, writes Gareth Davies.
The village outfit endured a difficult 2021 campaign in County One as they finished bottom of the pile winning just three games. Gorran were also forced to concede three games last season and were regularly beaten by huge margins.
It is a sad fall from grace for one of mid-Cornwall’s most successful clubs as just 10 years ago, they were crowned Hawkey Cup champions. And between 1966 and 1972, Gorran were Hawkey Cup kings on no fewer than five occasions.
Since 1966, the Hawkey Cup winners have faced off against the Vinter Cup winners for the Edwards Cup. Gorran have made it through to eight Edwards Cup finals but were only victorious on one occasion when they beat current holders Penzance in 1972.
During the club’s halcyon period, they were also runners-up in the Cornwall Cricket League’s top-flight three times – nine in total overall. Further back in history, and either side of the Second World War, Gorran went one better and were county premiers three times – 1937, 1948 and 1953.
“After much debate, attempted recruitment and heartache, I’m afraid we will have to withdraw from league cricket for the foreseeable future,” Gorran secretary Fred Semple said in a statement. “Sorry to leave it until the last minute, but the hope of a miracle hasn’t happened.
“We have a playing squad of 15 players but only four of whom are committing to over 80 per cent of games for the season. There is no way we will fulfil a full season’s fixtures. We conceded games last season with more players.”
Despite the disappointment of Gorran having to pull out, Semple did offer hope that the club can rebuild, by entering midweek competition and continuing with their junior training.
“The club intends to enter the St Newlyn East Midweek League again and keep the juniors cricket going on Thursday nights,” he added. “In the hope that sometime in the future, we will re-enter the league with a mixture of juniors and parents playing.”
In a statement of its own, the CCL hs revealed that Gorran’s withdrawal has caused vacancies further down the Duchy structure, with the composition of Division Six now very much undecided.
“Gorran’s decision was received just hours before the January 1 deadline for the confirmation of the 2022 Cornwall Cricket League divisions,” a CCL spokesperson said.
“As a result, the confirmation (of league composition) is delayed as the CCL is now working with several clubs to fill the vacancies in Divisions Two, Three, Four and Five East.
“Division Six will also need to be reconfigured with 26 teams now remaining. A nine-team division would only have 16 match days.”
Featured image: Cornwall Cricket League