SALTASH captain Justin Hemmings hailed his side as they claimed a maiden county title in their Cornwall Cricket League Division Three final at Roche.

Having bagged the East title just seven days earlier, the Ashes followed that success up with yet more silverware at Trezaise Road, comprehensively disposing of West champions Veryan by seven wickets.

Winning the toss and put Veryan into bat, Saltash were quickly into their stride as Tharanga Gunarathna claimed the wickets of openers Aaron Davey (4) and Paddy Morgan (9) with just 22 on the board.

Spinner Ben Hutson then skittled Ben Humphries (8) and James Fryer (4) to leave Veryan in all sorts of trouble at 48-4.

The experienced Gary Wheildon looked in fine touch with the bat – and joined by younger brother Andy, they added 67 runs for the fifth wicket before the latter was bowled by Matt Petherbridge for 36.

Although Gary continued to pile on the runs for his side, he received very little support from his team-mates. He was last out for 52, trapped in front of his stumps by Petherbridge, who finished with figures of 4-28 from 7.2 overs. Fellow spin-king Joe Organ claimed 2-32.

In reply, Huw Williams quickly set about taking on the Veryan attack, smashing 50 from just 28 deliveries. He struck nine fours and two sixes before he was caught by Jack Wheildon off the bowling of Morgan with the score on 69.

Morgan also accounted for fellow opener Jonny Wastell for 16, but Saltash were never in trouble, and it was left to star batsman Sam Renfree to see them home with an unbeaten 52, which included seven fours and three sixes.

“It’s been an unbelievable season for everyone involved with the club,” said Hemmings. “At the start of the year our aim was to get promoted, so to go on and win the league and then become county champions is a brilliant achievement.

“There have been some outstanding individual performances, but it’s the togetherness of the group and the way everyone has pulled in the same direction that has made the difference.”

Saltash IIs won the Division Six East title for 2026. Pictured (left to right), Back Row: Alex Johnson, Joe Page, Gary Turner, Jim Matthews, Shayn Rencher, Mark Stevens, Andy Dare Front row: Riley Stevens, Callum Iles-Wright, Duncan Nobes, Ryan Bailey, Mickey Martin.
Saltash IIs won the Division Six East title for 2026. Pictured (left to right), Back Row: Alex Johnson, Joe Page, Gary Turner, Jim Matthews, Shayn Rencher, Mark Stevens, Andy Dore Front row: Riley Stevens, Callum Iles-Wright, Duncan Nobes, Ryan Bailey, Mickey Martin. (Saltash CC)

Sadly, Saltash’s second string could not make it a dream double as they lost by 46 runs in their Division Six final against their Mount Hawke and Porthtowan counterparts at Constantine.

Put into bat by Ashes skipper Duncan Nobes, the West Cornwall outfit got off to a decent start through Matt Thomas and Rob Harper. They put on 45, before Harper fell for 15, caught by Gary Turner off the bowling of Andy Dore.

Thomas departed shortly after for 38, but an 84-run stand between Ryan Thomas (45) and Rob Brandreth (40) for the third wicket proved somewhat decisive. Late cameos from Rob Atkinson (22no) and Will Hewitson (16no) helped them post a total of 204-6.

Saltash’s reply didn’t start great as they saw Turner depart for just 10, while the normally profitable Nobes went for just four. However, Ryan Bailey and Alex Johnson helped steady the ship to get them to 99 before Johnson was bowled for 20.

Bailey continued to look good at the other end, hitting seven fours and a six in his knock of 55, but when he exited the crease, others were unable to step up in his place.

In the end, Saltash were dismissed for 158, Ryan Thomas the pick of the bowlers with 5-40.