Menheniot-Looe Cricket Club History

Menheniot Cricket Club was officially formed in 1932 when matches were played on the recreation ground, however, early historic records show that cricket was being played in the village as early as 1904. The club moved to its current ground at Fourgates in 1955.

In the early years, our matches were ‘friendly’ fixtures against other local clubs and, in 1970, we joined the Cornwall Cricket League (CCL) initially in Division 2 East. At that time, league fixtures were 48 overs per innings with no restrictions on the number of overs to be bowled by a single bowler. We still have members who can recall bowling 24 overs on a Saturday afternoon.

In 1998, we secured funding for two major developments. We were able to buy the ground and also build an extensive new pavilion. Assistance from the Menheniot Sports Association, with its charitable status, was a key factor. At this point, we fielded two Saturday league teams together with a promising junior section.

Early in the new millennium, our playing standards rose significantly. Older players with experience of higher grades of cricket joined the club and were supported by talented teenagers. Suddenly, under the captaincy of club patron Hugh Rogers, we secured promotion to Cornwall’s Premier Division. In 2004, we reached the regional final of the national Village Cup.

By 2009, the young players had moved ‘up country’ or overseas for study or work and a new approach was needed. At this point, negotiations led to a successful amalgamation with Looe Cricket Club and Menheniot-Looe CC was formed. Initially we ran four CCL league teams but dropped to three in 2012.

In 2019, Second XI Captain Chris Crabb led the club to the Division 5 title, the club’s first in a decade, beating Hayle 2nd XI by a staggering 65 runs. With openers Mark Grassam (50) and Stephen Gliddon (53) both making a strong start the team finished on 174 all out. They proceeded to bowl Hayle out for 109, with Michael Maiden taking 3-38.

During the winter of 2022-23, the clubhouse underwent a widescale renovation thanks to a £10,000 grant from the ECB, supported by the Cornwall Cricket Board. The project, led by the Rundle family, was completed in time for the 2023 season and provides us with modern facilities, perfect for hosting both cricket and tennis matches, as well as social events such as the club race night.

In 2025, First XI Captain Giles Francis led the club in a successful campaign which included two cup final days and a league final against Ludgvan 1st XI, which the club won by 2 wickets with Alex Caddy scoring 50* to give us our first title since 2019, and return us to Division 2 for the 2026 season.