TRURO skipper Charlie Kent admitted they ‘fell short in the key moments’ following their relegation from the ECB Cornwall Premier League last weekend.

The Boscawen Park outfit enjoyed a productive winter bringing in the likes of county all-rounder Scott Kellow, wicketkeeper Wilf Bartlett and Indian pro Akhilesh Sahani, but despite being competitive, a failure to close out a number of promising positions meant they returned to County Division One after a two-year spell in the top-flight.

Such was the tight nature of the division, they went down on a head-to-head record with St Just who also finished on 174 points, 10 behind promoted Grampound Road who Truro were due to face on the final day.

However, a complete washout across the entire Premier meant it was the city club who were left licking their wounds, and Kent admitted a lack of ‘consistency’ cost them.

He said: “It was obviously very disappointing season, we always knew it would be competitive and that showed with teams beating each other throughout the year.

“We came very close in multiple games, for example, St Just twice, Redruth and Wadebridge at home. It just felt like we fell short in the key moments in tight games and these moments are what helps you progress up the table.

“What makes it more frustrating is we know we have a team good enough to beat anyone in the league as shown against Penzance in the second to last game, but being consistent is always key and that’s unfortunately where we struggled.”

Truro returned to the top-flight in 2023 at the first attempt and although it is difficult to come back up with one place available, Kent knows doing it as soon as possible has to be the aim.

He said: “In 2022, we didn’t lose many players so we built on what we did well with the players we had the season before.

“Having experienced players such as Neil Ivamy and Rob Harrison really helped a young, but talented group of players, and we will probably look to do the same again.

“As always we will look to see if anyone would like to join the club, but keeping the core of our young team together will be important to get us back into the Prem.”

While it was ultimately a tough summer for the first team, the rest of the club flourished.

The seconds are back in Division Two West having finished as runners-up to champions Ludgvan, while the third team were also promoted from Division Five.

The fourth team were runners-up in Division Seven Central, while the ladies retained their Cornwall Women’s League crown.

Kent added: “It’s always good when your other teams do well. As a club we pride ourselves on getting four men’s teams and a ladies team out every week and it’s pleasing that the other teams were challenging at the top of their leagues.”