Bay cricket clubs complete merger

The planned merger of Torquay and Chelston & Kingskerswell Cricket Clubs has gone ahead, and received the approval of the Tolchards Devon League.

The two clubs held separate EGMs, which both approved the decision to merge, following discussions between leading officials during the winter.

The name of the ‘new’ club has still not been confirmed, but it will put out three league teams, instead of four, and the move has been given the nod by the DCL committee.

Tim Western of Torquay said: “Since the turn of the New Year discussions between the two clubs have revealed that a merger would be mutually beneficial.

“By combining resources and efforts, the merged club believes it will be stronger together, able to offer more cricketing opportunities and, most importantly, provide a sustainable future for cricket in the area.”

C&KK’s Vivek Kulkarni commented: “This merger marks a significant step forward for cricket in the Torbay and Teignbridge area, demonstrating a proactive approach to the challenges facing grassroots cricket.

“The unified club looks forward to building a vibrant cricketing community and inspiring future generations of players.”

The plan is for the 1st and 2nd XIs to play at Torquay Recreation Ground and the 3rd XI at C&KK’s ground at Manor Drive, Kingskerswell.

There are fixture ramifications for the League to overcome, not least because Torquay 2nds and C&KK’s 1sts used to play in the same division – they were due to meet on the second Saturday of 2024 season.

The new club’s 1st XI will play in the A Division, the 2nd XI in the E Division West and the 3rds in the H Division Central.

By any standards, the merger is an historic one.

Not because two local clubs have come together – that’s happened before to Chelston and Kingskerswell CCs among others in Devon – but because Torquay are involved.

They were founded in 1851, have played at the Rec since 1926 and used to be one of the pre-eminent clubs in the county, winners of eight DCL Championships.

But they could not have been promoted back to the Premier Division because they did not have a Colts section, and the merger is believed to have dealt with that problem.