The pinnacle of Copdock’s journey

July 8, 2026

MARTIN Taylor will be forgiven if he is feeling misty eyed at 11am a week on Sunday.

That is when the first ball will be bowled in the final of this season’s prestigious NCCA NV Play Trophy Final at Copdock & Old Ipswichian CC.

Berkshire, who have won five of the last eight finals, and Cheshire will battle it out to be crowned 50-over champions among the 20 National Counties.

It will be the first time that the final, which used to be held at Lord’s and more recently Wormsley, one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world, has been staged in Suffolk.

What’s more, is that it will be taking place on what is still, to all intents and purposes, a village playing field just outside Ipswich.

It was nearly three years ago that Martin, who is the club’s Director of Trading and Head Groundsman, was approached by Richard Logan, NCCA Operations Director, about the possibility of staging a final.

Those with good memories will recall Logan was great friends with Kevin Pietersen when they both played at Nottinghamshire, and was man-of-the-match for the first-class county after taking 10-2-24-5 when Notts defeated Suffolk by nine wickets in the C&G Trophy at Mildenhall CC back in 2001.

After his initial site visit it was not until last autumn that Martin received a follow-up call from Logan saying the NCCA were interested in staging the four-day NCCA Championship final at Copdock this year.

An aerial view of Copdock & Old Ipswichian Cricket Club

“He asked me to crunch some numbers and get back to him and he replied saying they were okay. Then a few weeks later he called to say that the groundsman at West Bromwich Dartmouth, who have hosted the final for the past four years, was retiring and they were going to hold the final there for one more year.

“It was at that point that he offered us the opportunity to host the one-day final instead, as a hors d’oeuvres that if all goes well on July 19th and both parties are happy, there is an offer on the table to stage the four-day final for the next three years!” said Martin.

Not knowing who the two finalists were going to be until three weeks beforehand, Martin has concentrated on two areas – creating a wicket that allows for a good game and organising hospitality.

A total of 28 out of 40 VIP hospitality packages for the pavilion have already been sold at £30 + VAT each, which includes a match ticket, tea and coffee on arrival, a two-course lunch and private bar.

Martin (pictured above) said: “The quality of the environment we create is so important. We are aiming to get in excess of 500 people here, but we want them to come and enjoy the day and go home and feel like they were looked after, whether they were a VIP or in the family enclosure.”

Martin Taylor, who is the club’s Director of Trading and Head Groundsman 

He drew a comparison with Mellis CC, who have just hosted a Suffolk Men’s 1st XI fixture for the first time, illustrating what can be achieved if a club has the ambition.

He said: “If someone said to me what does this mean, I would say it will be an incredibly proud day for the club and certainly from a facilities perspective, it represents the pinnacle of the journey we have been on over the last 15 years.

“In a strange kind of way there is a parallel with Mellis, and I hope it inspires clubs who may be struggling now to think it doesn’t always have to be like this.

“Around 15-20 years ago there wasn’t much bounce in the wicket here and the facilities were nowhere near what they are here now.

“But we have turned it around and are about to host a National Final, which is a huge testament to the hard work and commitment of the organisations who have supported the club.

“There are so many people who have been a part of that journey and without their time and money it would not have been possible, so I am really pleased many of them will be here on the day.”

Sadly, two people who were involved at the very start of Copdock’s journey will no longer be able to attend the final.

Former 1st XI captain and chairman Ted Pettingale, who was a Life Member, and Vice President Mick Goose, were both former players who also worked on the ground in its early days in the 1950s.

“They were lifelong friends and had bought tickets to attend the final, but sadly passed away within matter of weeks of each other earlier this year.

“I expect they will be looking down from above with an enormous sense of pride at what they started,” said Martin.

General admission is £14, with children under-16 free of charge. Tickets can be purchased in advance via Eventbrite by searching for ‘One Day NCCA Trophy Finals 2026’ on your device.

A site map of how the ground will look for the NCCA NV Play Trophy Final

Copdock are also offering a Club Package in one of 14 pods available in a large marquee, each with seating for eight spectators at a cost of £25 per person. The price includes your entrance ticket, plus a premium view and a bucket of eight beers.

On the road side of the ground there will be a Family Zone for adults accompanied by children, which will also be an alcohol-free area.

An outside bar, barbecue, pizzas and ice cream will all be available on the day.

Suffolk Cricket will be running an U9s Softball tournament featuring eight local teams on the adjoining recreation field, with the final to be played on the main outfield between innings around 2pm.

The participants will form a guard of honour for the teams before the start of the final.

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