Helston CC lifted themselves off the bottom of the Bond Timber Trophy League 1 West group with a narrow eight-run victory at local rivals Falmouth on Sunday.

In a fixture that was originally scheduled for two weeks ago but fell victim to the weather, Helston racked up 201 runs for the loss of nine wickets before bowling Falmouth out for 193 with two balls to spare.

A shaky start for Helston saw Karl Leathley (12) depart early on before Mark Jenkin and Johnson both exited without scoring a run between them.

But they had Dan Jenkin to thank for turning the tide with a vital 51 off 58 balls, with Ross Leathley (36) helping to steer the visitors past the century.

Adrian Noott did the best he could by catching both Will Jenkin (14) and Guy Leathley (38), but with the pair adding another combined half-century the damage had been done as the visitors went on to reach 201-9.

Scott Kellow took 3-37 for Falmouth.

Noott (26) and Antony Angove put the hosts in an excellent position early in their reply, with pair putting on a first-wicket stand of 72 before Noott was caught by Ross Leathley off Bradley Bury’s delivery.

The next few wickets fell cheaply as Falmouth moved from 72-1 to 135-5, with only Charlie Campbell (14) reaching double figures.

But Angove continued and worked his way to a fine century off 90 balls when he was bowled by Dan Jenkin with the score now at 173-6.

Duncan Ayres added 24 as the hosts closed in on the target with only ten runs required on the final over, but Steve Eddy caught Ayres out to dismiss Falmouth nine runs short with two balls remaining.

Falmouth Packet:

That defeat for Falmouth came just 24 hours after they suffered their first defeat of the tournament, losing by four wickets at Penzance in their League 1 West match on Saturday.

The visitors batted first and made 136 for the loss of eight wickets from their 40 overs, with Penzance needing 30 overs to reach their target.

Adrian Noott (22) and Antony Angove (26) got Falmouth off to a reasonable start, reaching 43 before the latter fell for the first wicket.

Harry Roberts (0) quickly followed but Stefan Churcher stepped in and racked up a useful 44 not out off 77 balls.

But the remaining six batsmen to feature could only provide 32 runs between them, with 25 of those coming from the bat of captain Richard Kellow as the visitors reached 136-8.

Thomas Wells took three wickets for just 27 runs, with Matthew Lawrence taking 2-23 and Greg Smith taking 2-28.

Christian Purchase got Penzance off to a bright start with 37 runs of 41 balls before he was bowled by Duncan Ayres.

It was a team effort as the next four batsmen contributed scores in the tens, with Alex Barrett (14), Jack Paull (25), Matthew Lawrence (13) and Thomas Wells (12) adding important runs as Penzance got to 106-6.

Charles Goldsworthy, batting at seven, added 25 not out to edge Penzance close to the winning line, with a nine not out from Tommy Sturgess sealing the win.

Falmouth Packet:

Penzance’s 19 points puts them level at the top of the West group on 56 points after Redruth took 17 points from their six-wicket victory at home to Helston.

Helston managed a very useful 200-5 from their innings but Redruth were able to successfully chase that score down with just under four overs to spare.

The visitors could hardly have started much better as opening pair Karl Leathley (18) and Dan Jenkin (74) put on 72 for the first wicket when Leathley was lbw off Ellis Whiteford’s ball.

Jenkin batted on with third batsman Mark Jenkin (50), with the pair adding 66 together before Dan Jenkin finally departed.

Helston reached a very impressive 167-3 by the time Mark Jenkin was dismissed, with two more wickets falling and 33 runs being scored by the end of the innings.

But Redruth saw Helston’s useful start to their innings and went one better as the opening pair of Sam Wyatt (59) and Toby Whiteford (81) put on a superb 135-run stand for the first wicket.

Whiteford was the one to depart but he was swiftly followed by James Harris (0) and Will Trenoweth (0) to give Helston hope, but a fine 41 not out from Peter Howells nudged Redruth over the line in the 37th over.

Falmouth Packet:

St Just beat Camborne in the other match in the West group on Saturday, winning by three wickets at the 2019 County 1 champions.

Camborne chose to bat and made 145-6 from their innings, with St Just meeting that target in the 30th over.

Camborne are now the only side yet to taste victory in the West group after the first three rounds of games.

Truro are still searching for their first win in the East group after they lost by 107 runs at St Austell.

The home side reached a useful 217-7 from their innings before bowling out the group’s bottom side for 110 in the 37th over.

Falmouth Packet:

Werrington are the only side to have won all three games in the East group after they were winners at home to Callington by 98 runs.

A superb 109 not out from Mark Gribble took the hosts to 216-9 before they dismissed Callington for 118 in the 32nd over.

Wadebridge moved off the foot of the table after winning at Grampound Road by 80 runs.

Tom McLachlan (103no) and James Turpin (114) were the stars as their combined 217 did much of the job as they reached 266-3, with Alex Ridd’s 76 not enough for Grampound as they managed 186-9.