Falmouth retained top spot in the Jolly’s Drinks ECB Cornwall Premier League thanks to an emphatic seven wicket win at strugglers St Austell on Saturday.

The gloss was taken off however with a two points deduction on the day by the umpires, due to a slow over rate. The benchmark is an average of 17 overs an hour throughout the innings and if not achieved a point is deducted. Falmouth’s calculation at Wheal Eliza was deemed to be below 16 per hour, however, which meant a second point was lost. Only time will tell if it has relevance on the title chase this season.

Apart from that all went to plan in a generally one sided encounter. Having been put in St Austell lost three key early wickets. Mike Bone was lbw to Justin Stephens for a single.

Taylor Williams followed, caught behind off Stephens, with the score at 15. Former Falmouth skipper Sean Hooper was next to go at 27 for three. Craig Richards (13) and Matt Ellison (36) added 34 for the fourth wicket but overall it was slow going with the run rate restricted to around two an over. Gary Bone was dismissed by Harry Roberts for a duck. Ellison was sixth to go with the score at 98.

There was little from the tail with the last five wickets falling for 22 runs. Stephens bowled very economically taking three for 17 from 15 overs and George Popperwell picked up a couple of late wickets in his three for 29. Roberts took two for 32. On his return to the side Matt Bacon opened the batting in place of Stefan Churcher, who was attending a wedding. Bacon made 23 before being first out at 54. 

Richard Kellow followed four runs later having made 29. Matt Goldsbury made 30 and Stephens was 30 not out taking the side to the brink of victory before Goldsbury was dismissed with the scores level. Antony Angove came in to hit the winning boundary.

Mike Bone took three for 41 from eleven overs. The defeat for St Austell leaves them in trouble at the foot of the table. With six games remaining they are only three points ahead of Paul, who lost by three wickets at St Just, in a game that could have gone either way.

Werrington were made to fight for a 13 run win at Truro. They took maximum points but it could easily have been different with the win coming with just nine balls remaining. Redruth’s relegation fears were eased with a 91 run win at Callington, despite play being delayed until 3.30pm.

Only the second Premier League draw of the season came at Camborne. Grampound Road’s last pair were at the crease and were twelve runs short of victory in a tense finish. Falmouth entertain Callington on Saturday in the final 1pm start of the season. Werrington host St Austell.

The Premier 50/50 Cup semi-final replay between Werrington and St Just has been rescheduled for Sunday 1st September. Falmouth will take on the winners, at a neutral venue, on Sunday 8th September. Both matches start at 12.30pm