Mullion suffer title setback

11:00am Wednesday 16th July 2008

Mullion's hopes of a third successive league title suffered a setback on Saturday when they lost at home to the division three leaders St Just seconds, by the narrow margin of seven runs.

It means St Just have opened up a gap of 17 points at the top of the table with eight games to play. It was a game that could have easily gone the other way.

Having been put in St Just were in some trouble at 60 for six before staging a recovery to make 149 for 8.

Then Mullion looked to be closing in on victory at 117-3 before losing late wickets to end seven runs short, with two wickets remaining.

After losing the toss St Just lost early wickets as Tony Matthews struck twice to get rid of Scott Rowe and Robert Jose before Tom Retallack bowled Josh Semmens at 17 for three.

Opener Scott Meagor made 17 before Dan Gillman had him caught. Jeremy Harvey was immediately dismissed by Kevin Bosustow and when Retallack bowled Ryan Davies St Just were up against it.

The recovery came through the Harvey brothers who put on 86 for the seventh wicket. Mark was eventually lbw to Gillman for 61 that included 2 sixes and 7 fours. Ryan remained 33 not out. Gillman took three for 27 from twelve overs. Matthews took two for 18 from 12 overs with six maidens and Retallack two for 39.

Mullion suffered an early blow losing Kevin Bosustow for 2. Trevor Lee followed for 24 having hit four boundaries. Jim Pearson made 23, David Dale 34 before being run out and Stephen Green 31 to put the home team in a good position.

St Just fought back however to take five wickets for 23 runs to leave the home team an agonising seven runs short at the end of the day. It could prove to be a vital fight back come September when the silverware is handed out Things won't get much easier this week with high flying Crofty/Holman the visitors to Garro Lane.

St Just 149-8 (M Harvey 61, R Harvey 33; D Gillman 3-27, T Matthews 2-18, T Retallack 2-39,), Mullion 142-7 (D Dale 34, S Green 31, T Lee 24, J Pearson 23; N Stephens 2-37, J Semmens 2-28). St Just (16 points) beat Mullion (seven) by 7 runs.

It was a disappointing day all round for the Mullion club as the seconds lost their top of the table clash at Camborne thirds by 74 runs. Camborne promoted the former Gloucestershire player Malcolm Pooley up the order for the first time this season and after losing an early wicket he held the innings together with 62. Robert Casley took two wickets in two balls to reduce the home team to 107-5 but with Mark Richards making 21 not out the innings reached 162-8. Casley bowled well to take three for 20 from 12 overs with Gary Tremayne and Ben Johnson taking two each. Mullion were soon in trouble losing Phil Wheatley and Johnson with only 11 on the board. Malcolm Todd made 34, Jack Casley 17 and Rob Casley 14 but it was slow going as the innings ended on 88 for 8 after 48 overs. Mullion visit Redruth thirds this weekend.

Camborne 162-8 (M Pooley 62, M Richards 21; R Casley 3-20, B Johnson 2-9, G Tremayne 2-45, Mullion 88-8 (M Todd 34; C Thomas 4-12, S Pooley 2-9). Camborne (18 points) beat Mullion (six) by 74 runs.

Not much went for Porthleven as they went down to a 75 run defeat at Crofty/Holman. Having lost players due to unavailability during the week a late cry off meant they fielded only ten men, of which only half were first XI regulars. Having been put in Crofty/Holman's Lee Caddy played a flurry of shots before Mark Pollard had him caught at point for 36. The run rate was slowed as Pollard and newcomer Tom Excel bowled well in tandem. Jeff Carvelly struck immediately with Excel taking the catch at fine leg. With Paul Mankee making 44 not out the home team made 197 for 8. Excel took three for 32 from ten overs with two each for Pollard and Carvelly. Porthleven lost Dean Bray to an lbw decision off former Cornwall opening bowler Caddy. Neil Bartlett was run out but Carvelly smashed four 4's and a six before being bowled for 26 off 16 balls. It was left to John Dawson to reach an unbeaten fifty as the innings ended on 124 all out. On Saturday Porthleven are again in the Camborne area when they visit Barripper.

Crofty/Holman 197-8 (P Mankee 44no, L Caddy 36, L Fenton 26, J Matavesi 20; T Excel 3-32, M Pollard 2-40, J Carvelly 2-39), Porthleven 124 (J Dawson 50no, J Carvelly 26; J Matavesi 3-45, L Caddy 2-26). Crofty/Holman (19 points) beat Porthleven (seven) by 75 runs.

Porthleven seconds mixed season continued with defeat at home to lowly St Gluvias seconds by seven wickets. Only Kevin Kelly with 32 made much impression in Porthleven's 84 all out. Mike Chapman took two of the three wickets to fall as St Gluvias comfortably reached their target. St Newlyn East make the trip to Porthleven on Saturday.

Porthleven 84 (K Kelly 32; M Bannister 3-7, R Bannister 2-9, R Lilley 2-17, C Kruse 2-35), St Gluvias 88-3 (T Julian 48; M Chapman 2-11). St Gluvias (20 points) beat Porthleven (three) by seven wickets.

Helston appear to be facing a mid table position in division four this year after losing by 72 runs at Perran-ar-Worthal who as a result stretch further ahead of them. Perran made 206 for 9 with former Troon and Cornwall batsman Trevor Angove making 78. Jason Crocker took four for 46, skipper Peter Boyd tow for 23 and Kannan Mathivannan two for 50. Mathivannan then led the way with the bat to make 86 in the Helston total of 134 all out. On Saturday Truro thirds visit Beacon Park.

Perran-ar-Worthal 206-9 (T Angove 78, N Hosken 77; J Crocker 4-46, P Boyd 2-23, K Mathivannan 2-50), Helston 134 (K Mathivanan 86; D Angell 3-50, E Hands 2-13, L Coston 2-21, P Rees 2-29). Perran-ar-Worthal (20 points) beat Helston (seven) by 72 runs.

Helston seconds home game with Praze was put back a day until Sunday due to Praze Show. The extra day's rest obviously did Helston the power of good as they maintained their promotion push with a six wicket victory. Praze were dismissed for 138 with Guy Leathley taking six for 44. The target was reached thanks to good knocks from Joshua Williams (45), Luke Williams (35) and Mathivannan with 30 not out. On Saturday there's a top of the table clash at Mawnan to look forward to.

Praze 138 (T James 46no, G Leathley 6-44, M Williams 2-8), Helston 139-4 (J Williams 45, L Williams 35, K Mathivannan 30no; J Nolan 2-35). Helston (20 points) beat Praze (five) by six wickets.

Wendron did their survival hopes in division two a power of good with a 101 run home win over Perranporth. A splendid unbroken stand between Nigel Harris with 60 not out and Brett Andrew's 53 not out got Wendron up to 208 for 4. Antony Harris took four for 12 and with two wickets each for Mark Rowe and Martin. Chad Ruddy top scored for Perranporth with 26. Wendron are at home to Beacon at Underlane on Saturday.

Wendron 208-4 (N Harris 60no, B Andrew 53no, S Anderson 22; M Phillips 2-33), Perranporth 107 (C Ruddy 26, J Neve 25; A Harris 4-12, M Rowe 2-37, C Martin 2-40). Wendron (20 points) beat Perranporth (four) by 101 runs.

Wendron seconds recorded a good win at St Just by 58 runs. Vince Schaper with 59 and four for 17 proved the match winner. Stan Morris took seven for 20 in a losing cause for St Just. A trip to Crofty/Holman awaits on Saturday Wendron 126 (V Schaper 59, C Instance 24; S Morris 7-20, D Filley 2-18), St Just 68 (V Schaper 4-17, C Burley 3-12). Wendron (18 points) beat St Just (six) by 58 runs.

ends

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