Paultons Cricket Club: Latest News, Matches, Players, Schedule & Records
Paultons Cricket Club is a vibrant community-cricket club based in Copythorne, Hampshire (near the New Forest). With adult men’s teams, a thriving junior section and social cricket opportunities, the club combines competitive ambition with an inclusive, community focus. In this blog post, we’ll explore recent developments, match performance, key players, the 2025 schedule and the club’s records — giving fans, members and local followers a full overview of where Paultons CC stands in this season.
Latest News & Club Developments
Paultons CC has undergone a significant rebuilding phase in recent years. The club’s pavilion was devastated by a suspected arson attack in January 2022, which forced the club to operate with temporary facilities. The rebuild plan has since been submitted, aiming to provide improved player and visitor amenities. The club’s resilience in the face of this adversity has strengthened its role in the local community and boosted the club’s profile as a growing cricket-hub.
In addition to infrastructure work, the club emphasises growth in its junior and colts programmes. With over 80 colts in recent years and multiple adult sides, Paultons CC is committed to developing young talent and offering pathways into the senior teams. The club also emphasises its clubhouse social facilities— bar open on weekends, modern changing rooms and a welcoming environment for players and supporters alike.
These developments reflect a club with strong ambition—not only on the field but off it, as it builds its foundations for long-term success and community engagement.
Recent Matches, Performance & Schedule Highlights
Recent Performance
Data for the 2025 season indicates that Paultons CC’s 1st XI (playing in the Border League) has had a challenging start: of 12 matches played so far, they have won 3 and lost 9, showing a need for improved consistency as they rebuild and compete. The club also fields 2nd and 3rd XIs, and the junior sides are active every week, maintaining the club’s momentum across age groups.
In one recent fixture in the Southern Premier Cricket League Division Three, Paultons’ 2nd team were beaten by eight wickets at home to Alton’s 2nd XI, demonstrating the level of competition and the work needed to climb the league ranks. On another occasion earlier in the season, Paultons lost by six wickets when chasing a modest total, showing how fine margins can determine league survival or success.
Schedule Highlights
Here is a snapshot of what supporters should watch for in the remaining 2025 season:
- Home matches in the Border League on Tuesday evenings and Saturday senior league fixtures at the club ground.
- Sunday and social cricket opportunities are available and help engage non-first-team players and supporters.
- Juniors (Under-9 to Under-15) train midweek and play festival fixtures on weekends; key junior match days are listed on the club’s fixtures page.
- The club’s presentation evening (often held after the season) will recognise adult, junior and volunteer awards—an event to look forward to for the local cricket community.
Supporters are encouraged to check the club’s fixture page for updated times and venues, as some matches, especially midweek ones, may shift due to weather or ground availability.
Key Players & Squad Highlights
While Paultons Cricket Club places strong emphasis on team culture over individual stars, a few squad features stand out:
Senior & Adult Section
- The 1st XI is captained by a senior player who leads both on and off the field, shaping the club’s drive back to more consistent performance.
- Senior batsmen and bowlers who have featured regularly are important to the club’s stability; although publicly available individual names are limited, recent hall-of-fame data shows the current captain, Jordie Smith, as the top run-scorer in the Border League for 2025 with 352 runs.
- Bowlers such as Elliott Hunt have recorded best bowling figures this season (4 / 13) in league play, underscoring the contribution of consistent bowling in trying to improve results.
Junior & Development Squads
- Paultons CC’s junior section is strong with over 70 players aged between 7 and 15. The club provides tailored coaching, good facilities and pathways into adult teams, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- The club’s perception as inclusive and social—encouraging children, youth, men and women to take part—supports its development agenda. For example, the rebuilding of the pavilion was pitched not just as a men’s cricket facility but as a community hub for all.
Coaching & Support Staff
- Volunteer coaches and dedicated junior-coordinators ensure that training is structured, fun and development-oriented—coaching sessions are held during the week while social interactions and match-days build club spirit.
- The club’s administrative team is engaged in fundraising, facility development and membership drives, which underpin the playing side of the club.
Club Records & Milestones
Paultons Cricket Club holds several records and historical milestones that reflect its long heritage and community impact:
- According to recent statistics, in the Border League Premier Division for 2025 the club has played 135 matches in total (historical) winning 81, losing 48 and with 6 no-results.
- The top run-scorer for the 2025 period is listed as Jordie Smith with 352 runs; the highest individual score is 101* by him in a Border League match. The top wicket-taker listed is Elliott Hunt with 11 wickets and his best bowling figures 4 / 13.
- The club’s hall of fame lists highest strike rate (164) achieved by Andrew Collins and best economy (3.75) by Tom Hayward in past seasons.
- Off the field, the club’s successful response to the pavilion arson attack, raising over £17,000 from donors and planning for a complete rebuild, is a significant milestone in the club’s history and its community resilience.
These records show both on-field achievements and the club’s wider contribution to local cricket culture.
Challenges & Future Goals
Challenges
- Performance: With only 3 wins out of 12 matches in 2025 so far for the 1st XI, the club faces the challenge of turning momentum into consistent results.
- Facilities: Rebuilding the pavilion and maintaining high-quality playing facilities remain vital, especially after the arson damage. The club must secure funding and complete the rebuild to enhance player experience.
- Retention and recruitment: Ensuring adult players commit through the season, while also continuing to bring juniors through to senior cricket, is key for the club’s sustainability.
Future Goals
- On-field: The club aims to climb the league table, targeting top-half finishes, stronger wins and aiming for promotion in coming seasons.
- Off-field: Completion of the new pavilion and improved coaching/training facilities will further enhance the club’s offering for current and prospective members.
- Development: Continued growth of the junior section, introduction of women’s or girls’ teams if not already present, and stronger social engagement to maintain club membership and community presence.
With these goals, Paultons CC is positioning itself for both competitive improvement and stronger integration into the local sporting ecosystem.
Conclusion
Paultons Cricket Club combines the best of grassroots cricket: community involvement, youth development and adult competition. While the club faces challenges on the scoreboard in 2025, their off-field efforts, strong junior structure and ambition to rebuild make them a club worth watching.
Whether you’re a local supporter, a junior player looking for a club, or simply interested in regional cricket, Paultons CC offers something genuine: a friendly environment, playing opportunities at all levels and a strong sense of identity. As the season progresses, fans can look forward to key matches, improved facilities and emerging players who may help transform the club’s fortunes.
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