The final full weekend of the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League sees plenty still to play for across the divisions.

In the Premier League Wadebridge’s defeat at Werrington last Saturday ended a nine-match winning run. It is Wadebridge’s still to lose as they need a maximum of 14 points, effectively a win, at home to Callington to deny the holders Penzance who end at Camborne.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the table, the relegation issue has also gone to the final day. Remarkably the nerves will be jangling at Helston as they are threatened with relegation in their first year back in the top flight.

That seemed unthinkable at the mid-way point of the season when they were fifth in the table, only 20 points off the pace, having lost to Redruth the previous week. They had a 43-point cushion at the bottom. That was the start of a poor run that has only seen one win since - the 28-run success at Camborne on 5 August.

There have been seven defeats including the last four in a row in which only 16 points have been gleaned. It means on the final day they need a maximum of seven points at home to St Just to secure their status, should Hayle pick up maximum points at home to St Austell.

Helston had the opportunity to make themselves safe last Saturday but it was Redruth that avoided a dramatic last day thanks to an 85-run home win. Redruth were on an even poorer run of six straight defeats but eight batters got into double figures to post a useful 185-9. Craig Johnson and Chris Logan (27no) gave the innings a late boost adding 33 for the ninth wicket.

Toby Whiteford had opened with 43 before being one of five wickets for William Jenkin, who took a season-best of 5-38. In the reply, Billy Taylor made 38 and Dan Jenkin, batting at four, was run out for 18. The innings ended at 100 with nine overs to spare.

Standings after 17 /18 games: Wadebridge 270 pts, Penzance 264, St Austell 208, Werrington 205, Camborne 193, St Just 189, Redruth 174, Callington 170, Helston 167, Hayle 153.

 

In County Division 1 Falmouth’s hopes of the title were finally extinguished when Paul won at the Hine Downing Oval to overtake them by a point. Having contended for much of the season Falmouth have lost three of their last five games to scupper their ambitions.

Truro needs only two points from Saturday’s home game with Mullion to secure an immediate return to the top flight. Paul were 86-4 at one stage on Saturday before Will Trenoweth (53) and Charlie Goldsworthy (69) put on 127 for the fifth wicket.

Ben Meek took 4-47. Adrian Noott (42) and Marco van Biljon (54) took the home side to 110-2 before Neil Pengelly’s 5-30 sparked a collapse to 155 all out in the 43rd over. Van Biljon has contributed over 500 runs and taken 41 wickets in County 1 plus a century in a rescheduled second XI game.

With only two wins in their last seven completed games, Mullion’s season has petered out as they have slipped to eighth in the table. Roche ensured their survival in quick time with a nine-wicket win at Garro Lane after the hosts were skittled out for 67 in just 21 overs.

Standings after 21 /22 games: Truro 319 pts, Paul 300, Falmouth 299, St Erme 254, Newquay 246, Beacon 243, Penzance II 233, Mullion 231, Grampound Road 221, Roche 193, Redruth II 166, Lanhydrock 115. 

In Division 2 Stithians have avoided relegation thanks to three straight wins. They dismissed doomed Truro seconds for 133 and went on to win by seven wickets with Callum Martin unbeaten on 44 and Nathan Strick 38 not out. Helston seconds are also secure despite losing to Perranporth by three wickets.

In Division Three it all comes down to the last day as to who will be in line to be promoted with Constantine. They defeated Perranarworthal by five runs at Boulder Parc with Graham Griffiths making 83. Perran got close after being 117-6  with Sam Lawrence unbeaten on 27. With only two confirmed to go up, as Redruth seconds are being relegated from County 1, St Gluvias have it to do on the last day.

They won by 29 runs at St Just but need to win at Barripper and hope Perranarworthal, whom they trail by eight points,  come unstuck at home to Wendron. The Underlane club beat Barripper by one run on Saturday and defeated the eight players of Gulval by eight wickets on Sunday.

Mullion Seconds lost by six wickets at Gerrans and bottom club Praze got only their second win defeating Redruth Thirds by five runs at the Playing Field.