SALTASH Cricket Club’s remarkable rise in recent years reached another high point after both their first and second XIs were crowned league champions in their respective Cornwall Cricket League divisions.

The double triumph caps a season of major progress for the club. With both sides already guaranteed promotion before the final weekend, there were titles still to fight for against Duloe and St Minver Seconds respectively.

For Justin Hemmings’ first XI, there was ultimately no cricket at Duloe as heavy rain brought an early end to hopes of a final-day celebration on the field.

The eight points Saltash collected were enough to secure a first-ever Division Three East title, with the Ashes finishing 14 points clear of nearest challengers South Petherwin.

The success has also set up another huge occasion, with Saltash travelling to Roche this Saturday for their Division Three county final against Veryan, which starts at 1pm.

There was plenty of action at Chapel Field, meanwhile, as the second XI completed their final fixture against their St Minver counterparts.

Saltash won the toss and elected to bat but were soon under pressure after openers Ben Lindsay and Ryan Bailey were both bowled by Sam Hocking with just 23 runs on the board.

The experienced Mickey Martin and Andy Rennie steadied the innings before Rennie was eventually caught and bowled by Matt Gilbert for 26.

Stand-in skipper Mark Stevens then made a crucial contribution, the left-hander looking in excellent touch as he struck an unbeaten 66 to help Saltash reach 168-8 from their 38 overs.

Hocking finished with impressive figures of 4-41 from his ten overs, while Nigel Hocking was next best with 2-37.

St Minver’s chase never got going, however, as Saltash’s attack turned the screw.

Irfan Sheik claimed three wickets, accounting for Neil Kent, Sam Hocking and Jim Hall to finish with 3-19, while Jim Matthews also took 3-23.

Again, 12-year-old Riley Stevens continued his sensational recent form. After returning figures of 4-9 at Launceston the previous week, the youngster followed up with another devastating spell, taking 3-6 from just three overs.

The second XI’s 97-run victory ensured they finished as Division Six East champions, edging out South Petherwin Seconds for the title.

They will now travel to Constantine on Saturday for their Division Six final against their Mount Hawke & Porthtowan counterparts, with that match also starting at 1pm.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the club and a brilliant reward for everyone who has put in the hard yards behind the scenes,” said chairman Shayn Rencher. “To win two titles shows the strength we now have throughout the club. We’ve come a long way in a short space of time.

“We now have three senior teams, a women’s team and an ever-growing youth section. That is exactly what we wanted to build – a club where everyone has the opportunity to play and develop.

“None of this happens by accident. There has been an incredible amount of work from our players, coaches, volunteers, committee and supporters to get us to this point.

“I’m hugely proud to be chairman and to oversee the club reaching its first two county finals. That is a massive milestone, but we’re not stopping here. There are some exciting plans in the pipeline, and I’m convinced the best is still to come.”