ECB CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE (SATURDAY)
Penzance v Werrington
ADAM Hodgson took 5-30 but it wasn’t enough as Penzance took a step closer to the title with a 103-run success at St Clare.
Werrington got off to a fine start as the dangerous Christian Purchase was caught behind by Nick Lawson off Dan Barnard (2-35), and the same bowler bowled Grant Stone to make it 60-2 as Jack Paull was going well at the other end.
The wicket-keeper fell to Hodgson for 56 at 123-3 before Thulina Dilshan had Dylan Blignaut caught by John Moon for four.
Mark Taskis (2-28) then dismissed the dangerous Dan Lello and Josh Croom in quick succession, and at 140-6 it was game on.
But a partnership of 50 between skipper Ben Seabrook and number eight Jonny Ludlam (40) helped the hosts post 217 all out.
Hodgson returned at the end to first trap Seabrook lbw for 66, before running through the tail as they hit out.
Werrington needed a good start and reached 26-0 through Sam Hockin and John Moon.
But once Hockin was bowled by his former Werrington team mate Tom Dinnis, the wheels fell off.
Moon was bowled by Andy Libby for 12 and when Hodgson edged Dinnis behind to Paull it was 44-3.
Dilshan (12) and Mark Gribble (18) added 23, but Dilshan and Ben Jenkin fell within four runs of each other (71-5).
The recalled Dan Howgill didn’t last long as four wickets fell for just 12 runs, all to the off-spin of Giles Lawrence who claimed 4-27.
The last wicket pairing of Dan Barnard (16 off 11) and Mark Taskis (11no off 11) added 28 to ensure a second batting point, but it was Penzance’s day.
Werrington are at home to Camborne on Saturday where they know a win will all but relegate the West Cornwall outfit (1pm).
Wadebridge v Callington
CALLINGTON remain right on the heels of leaders Penzance after an emphatic seven-wicket victory at champions Wadebridge on Saturday.
Cally headed to Egloshayle Park knowing that although the destiny of the title is not in their hands, a win coupled with a loss for Penzance over the final three games could give them a first top flight title since the Premier Division was formed in 2001.
After plenty of rain in the build up, Cally skipper Graham Wagg won the toss and chose to field and his decision paid off handsomely as the Swans were dismissed for just 113 with recent recruit Mohammed Danyaal taking 5-34 from eight overs.
He took the first five wickets to fall including former Cornwall captain Matt Robins for just three, while skipper James Turpin was castled for a fifth ball duck.
Opener Charlie McLachlan plowed a lone furrow as he made 34, but when he was bowled by Aidan Libby at 59-6 the hosts were in real trouble.
Callum Wilson, back after holiday, dug in for an unbeaten 22 from 45 balls, and put on 22 with last man Tom Clarke (10), but Callington spinners Harry Sawyers and Liam Lindsay combined to take two wickets apiece as the end came at 113.
Cally lost opener Aidan Libby in just the third over, lbw to Wilson, but Lindsay and former Somerset star Max Waller then put on 70 to ensure it was all but over.
Waller was bowled by left-arm spinner Matt Lawrence for 18, and although Lindsay was caught off Elliot Dunnett 56 with 24 required, Matt Shepherd (24no) and Wagg (2no) ensured there was no further drama.
Penzance eased to a 103-run victory over Werrington but dropped a point in the process, meaning the gap is 13 points with two to play.