ST Gluvias returned to the top of Division Two West of the Cornwall Cricket League following a five wicket victory at St Ives.

The Penryn-based team made the most of their title contender rivals Paul absence from the weekend’s fixtures to open 16 point gap at the top, although the side now in second place, who cannot be promoted to County Division One, have a game in hand.

On Monday, the pair will come head-to-head at Kernick Road in what will be a big game in deciding who claims the division title.

In a rain affected game which saw a reduction in overs to 45 each, home skipper Andre Otto won the toss and elected to bat first.

The visitors managed to peg St Ives down to 135-8 in their innings with Richard Kellow claiming the best bowling figures of three for 14 off seven overs. Captain Jon Udy picked up two wickets for 14.

Things had been looking good at one stage for the hosts as Jamie Swannell and George Day as the duo put on 77 for the second wicket.

But when Swannell was bowled for 36 by Udy, four more wickets fell quickly, including Day for 38, for the total of just eight runs as they went from 88-1 to 96-6.

Andy Paroissien and Jason Shaw made sure the collapse did not worsen with a partnership of 36.

In reply, the Saints also suffered a mini wobble as they went from 44-0 to 47-3.

But a knock of 41 not out from Scott Kellow, helped along by contributions from Josh Kelly, ten, Udy, 23, and Nathan Hill, ten not out, saw the away side over the finishing line with three overs to spare.

Next up for St Gluvias before the arrival of Paul is a trip to play second bottom Crofty/Holman.