Launceston 128 Helston 131-4

With a third of the season gone things have gone pretty well for Helston following their promotion to County Division One. They got their fourth win of the campaign on Saturday with a six wicket success over Launceston at Beacon Park. It moves them up to second in the table, 23 points behind the leaders Penzance, who are the only team they have been defeated by to date.

Helston and Launceston last met last September in the Division Two County Final at Wadebridge. That game was won by 63 runs by Helston and it was a similar story on Saturday with the North Cornwall club again outgunned. After electing to bat they didn’t get the start they would have hoped for. Jordan Fulton saw to that removing Michael Diebner for a single and Liam Tilley for two. He then got rid of opener Ian Searle to make it 24 for three. The middle order rescued things somewhat with Sam Pengelly, Gavin Wallis, Ryan Crabb and Dan Tilley all getting into double figures.

Kevin Worth, who top scored in last year’s final, made 14 not out batting at eight. At 106-5 there was hope of a reasonable total but the last five wickets fell for 22 runs, with the end coming in the 44th over. Fulton took three for 26 before Dan Jenkin weighed in with three for 18. Tommy Sturgess took two for 22 and there was a wicket for Ross Leathley.

In contrast to the first innings Helston got off to a good start with Dan Jenkin making 40 and Stuart Pethick 39, in an opening stand of 77. Jenkin was first to go with Ryan Crabb getting the breakthrough. Chris Martin and Ben Rule both went for low scores. It was left to Josh Ninnis to seal the victory, hitting three boundaries in his 15 not out of just seven balls. Ian Searle took two for 35.

On Saturday Helston are at home again with Beacon the visitors. Elsewhere last weekend Penzance were 155 run winners over Menheniot Looe. Gorran won by five wickets in a high scoring run chase against Beacon. Roche beat Stithians by 86 runs, Ludgvan beat Troon by four wickets. Hayle beat Wadebridge by 70 runs with Paul Lello making 100 not out and taking a hat trick with the only three balls he bowled.


LAUNCESTON
I Searle c Leathley b Fulton 16
M Diebner b Fulton 1
L Tilley c Ninnis b Fulton 2
S Pengelly c Thomas b D Jenkin 22
G Wallis c Martin b D Jenkin 15
R Crabb c S Jenkin b R Leathley 19
D Tilley run out (S Jenkin) 15
K Worth not out 14
J Duke c Ninnis b Sturgess 3
P West b Sturgess 1
C Jasper b D Jenkin 0
Extras 20
Total (43.3 overs) 128
Fall: 1-11; 2-13; 3-24; 4-64; 5-67; 6-106; 7-107; 8-118; 9-126.
Bowling: J Fulton 10-2-26-3, T Sturgess 8-4-22-2, D Jenkin 6.3-1-18-3, P Boyd 2-0-20-0, S Jenkin 10-4-21-0, R Leathley 6-0-19-1.

HELSTON
D Jenkin c Worth b Crabb 40
S Pethick c Searle b Duke 39
C Martin c Wallis b Searle 6
R Leathley not out 11
B Rule  lbw Searle 1
J Ninnis not out 15
Extras 19
Total (4 wkts, 33.3 overs) 131
Fall: 1-77; 2-98; 3-110; 4-115.
Did not bat: M Thomas, T Sturgess, S Jenkin, J Fulton, P Boyd
Bowling: S Pengelly 8-2-40-0, P West 7-1-22-0, I Searle 9.3-3-35-2, R Crabb 5-1-15-1, J Duke 4-0-18-1.


Result: Helston (20pts) beat Launceston (5pts) by six wickets.