It was hardly the most unexpected news of the weekend but Stithians were finally confirmed as being relegated from County Division One, after losing at Beacon on Saturday.

Ironically it was one of their better performances of the campaign and a game at one stage that they looked favourites to win.

Beacon needed a further 51 with only two wickets left but managed to get over the line, with sixteen balls to spare. Having decided to bat Stithians got to 37 before Ryan Burley was caught off Nathan Hocking for 13. Then came a superb partnership for the second wicket to get them to 152-1.

Hugh Williams hit 2 sixes and 9 fours in his 57 off 102 balls. Nathan Strick made an aggressive 61 hitting 3 sixes and 9 fours off just 66 balls.

Both fell within the space of nine runs and the wickets started to tumble with only Adam Lockwood with 16 getting into double figures.

They were bowled out for 205 in the penultimate over. Darren Proctor took three for 38. Callum Martin got rid of opener James Gool but the home side reached 100 for three with Larry Martin making 43, Rob Trembath 23 and Matt Floyd 20.

Stithians fought back to get it to 155-8. Skipper Proctor saved the day however with an unbeaten 58. Dave Dowling (10) helped add 32 for the ninth wicket before a last wicket stand put on 24. Williams took three for 44 and Callum Martin and Colin Weeks two wickets each.

All six County Division 1 games were cancelled on Monday due to the weather. It leaves Penzance needing just three points for the title from their final two games.

Menheniot Looe have joined Stithians in being relegated. Stithians are at Hayle on Saturday. True to form the club’s official Twitter account saw the lighter side of the weekend with the observation “Well that defeat confirms our relegation. I don't know about any of you guys but none of us saw that coming!!!”