National Village Cup 2026 Final Lord’s September 6th

 Peter Melhuish top-scored for his team, but could not prevent defeat as Blackheath Cricket Club lost by five wickets in their first Village Cup final appearance

Peter Melhuish, who travelled to the game from his wedding by helicopter, top-scored at Lord’s for Surrey club Blackheath but could not prevent them from a Cawston Press Village Cup final defeat against Cuckney.

Melhuish captured the national imagination after a £10,000 fundraising bid to get he and his new wife, Izzy, to Lord’s from their wedding venue in North Wales via helicopter drew donations from figures including Pier Morgan.

But, despite having a good day with bat and ball himself, Blackheath were unable to stop Nottinghamshire side Cuckney, who have made history by becoming the first club to win both the Village Cup and the National Club Championship, which they won at Lord’s in 2023.

Melhuish’s 48 was the backbone of his team’s total, but it was not enough to combat Jake Tong’s impressive four-wicket haul as they were restricted to 186 all out.

And it proved too few for victory as Cuckney coasted to victory by five wickets with 19 balls to spare, thanks largely to 62 from opener William Ullyott.

In truth, it was an ill-disciplined display in the field from Blackheath, and Cuckney profited as they won the battle of two first-time Village Cup finalists to lift their maiden title.

After making the bold call to bat first, Blackheath found themselves in early trouble thanks to three early wickets from Tong.

The seamer had both Matt Jackson (4) and Robert Greenway (0) caught behind before he trapped Luca La Costa (4) in front to leave his opponents reeling at 28 for 3.

This brought the Melhuish brothers together – having travelled in contrasting modes of transport to the game this morning – and they added 15 before captain Will chopped a delivery from Tommy Bush onto his stumps.

The older brother, Peter, continued and shared two important stands with James Fortescue (21) and Sam Behn (21). But the comeback ended abruptly when Blackheath lost two wickets in two balls.

Melhuish (48) fell the same way as his brother, bowled by Bush, while Behn was run out after a brilliant bit of work from Tong at point.

Blackheath were indebted to some valuable late-order contributions, including Tom Vickers’ 26, and some dropped catches from Cuckney, before they were bowled out for 186 with two balls left in the 40th over.

Cuckney’s hopes of winning the competition were greatly enhanced by an 86-run opening stand. Leighton Ambrick was the first to go, caught off Vickers for 35, before Adam Burgess (23) fell 45 runs later.

They were undeterred, however, as Ullyott brought up his 69-ball half-century with a huge six over the long boundary. He was not there to see the result home, though, as he fell lbw for 62.

Just before the result was ratified, Peter Melhuish capped off his dream weekend with a wicket at Lord’s when he removed Joseph Hayes (14) with six runs to score. Not without a late stutter, Cuckney finished the job with one ball to spare in the 37th over.

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