AFTER a run of nine uninterrupted Saturdays, an unsettled weekend caused problems in the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League, but the top three teams in County Division One all completed their games taking maximum points, writes Michael Weeks.

Falmouth remain top (218pts) with Truro (217) and Paul (214) in close contention. It is looking like a three-horse race with eight games to play as Beacon are 47 points off the pace in fourth with Mullion a further point behind. The form book played out at the Hine Downing Oval as Falmouth extended their run to just one defeat in eleven games, with a 95-run win over Redruth seconds.

The game was delayed by thirty minutes and reduced to 45 overs. Falmouth didn’t need them all, however, declaring on 204-4 with six overs unused. That was thanks to 96 from Antony Angove before the unfortunate dismissal of ‘hit wicket’. Opening partner Harry Roberts made 18, Marco Van Biljon 17 and Stefan Churcher was unbeaten on 39. Five of the visiting top order got into the teens but were undone by Ben Meek who took 5-31 from nine overs. Opening partner Van Biljon took 3-15 from 7.3 overs as the Reds were dismissed for 109 in the 44th over.

Just as a couple of years ago in a County Final Mullion travelled to Lanhydrock but the rain soon won the day again. This time only 16 overs were possible with Mullion reaching 83-3. It was a one-man effort with Jackson Edgar hitting two sixes and 9 fours in his unbeaten 58 made off 46 balls when play was called off. Mullion had a poor start losing Ryan Pascoe run out without a run on the board. James Dark and Ryan Tonkin fell to Ben Attfield. Helston remain fifth in the Premier League, 32 points behind new leaders Wadebridge.

Their long trip to Callington saw the only game in Tier 1  not affected by the weather. Werrington’s game with morning leaders St Austell was washed out while the Duckworth Lewis calculators were dusted off at seven venues. Callington took full advantage to post 249-7 in fifty overs. Niran Wijewardene removed Ryan Brown with the score at 24 but the base of the innings was laid by Aidan Libby with 75 sharing a second wicket stand of 119. Lindsay went on to make 101 off 133 balls before being stumped by Karl Leathley off Brad Bury.

Leathley incidentally will keep for Cornwall against Shropshire at Bridgnorth at the weekend. Helston used seven bowlers with Bury and Steve Jenkin both picking up two wickets. The visitors got to 48 before losing Dan Jenkin for 30. Ross Leathley made 23 but with six wickets down before the hundred was up it increasingly became an unlikely cause. The end came at 128 in the 33rd over.

In division two Stithians increased their relegation survival hopes with a second successive victory – and in style. They hammered 290-5 in 43 overs against Mount Hawke & Porthtowan. Nathan Kendall (83) and Callum Martin (76) added 150 for the fourth wicket before Ryan Mitchell blasted 8 sixes in his unbeaten 60 off just 17 balls. The visitors were dismissed for 99 with Martin taking 3-9 to wrap up the innings. Helston seconds enjoyed a full game at Beacon Parc making 205-8 with opener Matthew Stokeld batting through for 88.

Truro seconds were bowled out for 161 with three wickets for Jack Jenkin. It was an almost perfect day for Constantine in division three as they beat fourth-placed Falmouth seconds while the teams in second and third, St Gluvias and Perranarworthal, were both washed out at Wendron and Praze respectively. Constantine’s lead is now 61 points with eight games to play. Charlie Campbell top scored with 83 against his former club with Graham Griffiths making 33. Haydn Ayres took three wickets.

Falmouth were dismissed for 122 with Darren Griffiths knocking over the tail to end with 4-12 after Scott Kellow took three wickets at the top of the order. Constantine Seconds had a ‘day out’ in division five winning at title-chasing St Ives Seconds by 81 runs. They made 200-5 in a 39-over game at Tregenna with Dillon Creedon hitting 6 sixes in his 80 not out. Ben Allen then took four wickets to record only the third win of the campaign.

Wednesday sees the Vingoe Family Law Andrew Cup Final with Mullion seconds taking on Praze at Mount Ambrose (18:00). On Monday evening both Mining Division Evening League semi-finals took place. Constantine (141-9) beat Perranporth (140ao) by one run and Perranarworthal defeated Falmouth by 12 runs at Tredrea after making 143-6. Constantine will play Perranarworthal at Falmouth Cricket Club in the MDEL final next Wednesday 26 July (18:00).