OVER 500 runs were scored at the Hine Downing Oval on Saturday on a day for the batsmen, writes Michael Weeks.

Falmouth shook off their Vinter Cup Final disappointment (report on page 69) with a fine batting display to make 287-8 against Penzance.

The victory sees Falmouth occupy sixth place in the Cornwall Premier League table at the halfway point of the season.

They are 27 points behind the new leaders Truro and 36 ahead of bottom side Penzance and can draw further away if they beat strugglers Newquay on Saturday at the Oval.

After winning the toss, Callum Whittaker made 17 before being caught of Mike Burt, with the total at 38.

Not only was Kieran Rodda back in the side but promoted to number three on the back of his Vinter Cup Final half century.

It worked as well as he made 33 to see Falmouth pass the hundred mark, with only one wicket down.

Guy Leathley was batting well at the other end and found a good partner in Stefan Churcher, who contributed 72 in a third wicket stand of 130.

He was dismissed by Jonny Ludlam at 232-3 and Christian Purchase followed for a single before Leathley was run out for 96 with the total at 259-5.

Late wickets tumbled with Ludlam taking three for 55 and Sam Sweeney two for 68.

Antony Angove made 19 and George Popperwell ten in the quest for late runs.

In a poor start, Penzance lost their first three wickets for just 15 runs as Jordan Thomas sent back Tom Hutton and Ludlam, both for ducks before Angove trapped Mitch O’Brien in front for eight.

Josh Fletcher became a second Angove victim at 45-4, but Ben Brooks made 36 and Sweeney 74 in a fifth wicket stand of 124 to recover the innings.

Falmouth still needed two wickets in the last five overs but Churcher removed Charlie Goldsworthy for 26 before Angove, who finished with figures of three for 24, had last man Burt, leg before, with 23 balls to spare.

Thomas took four for 44 from 11 overs and Churcher two for nine.