County Division 1: Helston beat Rosudgeon by 135 runs to extend lead

Helston continued their march towards an immediate return to the Premier Division with a 135-run victory at home to Rosudgeon on Saturday.

The win was Helston's 12th in 14 games, with the only two blemishes being cancellations, as the club now sit 36 points clear of nearest challengers Beacon.

Helston won the toss and chose to bat, but opener Karl Leathley (2) lasted just seven balls before being bowled by Aaron Paul, while Stephen Wiseman (3) managed just one more before he was caught by Matthew Ellis off Ben Ellis' delivery.

The wicket was Ben Ellis' first of four on his way to taking 4-28.

Eben Koekemoer was caught first ball by James Williamson before Ross Leathley (4) and Chris Martin (5) followed as Helston's hopes of staying unbeaten looked to be fading fast.

However Guy Leathley came in at six to score a much-needed 84 runs to get his side back on track.

Tom Excell (26) and Joshua Ninnis (37 no) added crucial late runs to ensure the hosts reached 216 before being bowled out.

Rosudgeon had done a solid job with the ball but collapsed with the bat, with Matthew Ellis (4), Aaron Paul (10), Ben Ellis (4) and James Stephens (6) quickly departing.

Stephens was bowled by Steve Jenkin who took a fantastic 6-21 as Helston dismissed the visitors for 81.

Fall of wickets (Helston): 5-1 K Leathley (C Martin-0*); 17-2 S Wiseman (C Martin-0*); 17-3 E Koekemoer (C Martin-0*); 23-4 R Leathley (C Martin-2*); 46-5 C Martin (G Leathley-14*); 64-6 S Jenkin (G Leathley-22*); 118-7 T Excell (G Leathley-49*); 186-8 G Leathley (J Ninnis-26*); 190-9 S Eddy (J Ninnis-26*); 216-10 B Bury (J Ninnis-37*).

Fall of wickets (Rosudgeon): 4-1 M Ellis (A Paul-0*); 19-2 B Ellis (A Paul-10*); 19-3 A Paul (J Stephens-0*); 49-4 J Stephens (J Williamson-13*); 50-5 J Williamson (B Edwards-1*); 68-6 M Jacka (B Edwards-1*); 69-7 B Edwards (M Walden-1*); 74-8 M Walden (J Greenwood Penny-4*); 74-9 N Walden (J Greenwood Penny-4*); 81-10 M Waters (J Greenwood Penny-5*).