Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League report and summary scores — Saturday, August 31

NICK Parker produced a brilliant knock under pressure as Callington retained their ECB Cornwall Premier League status with a two-wicket victory over Wadebridge at Egloshayle Park on Saturday.

With Falmouth only picking up four points from a heavy defeat at St Austell, the visitors knew that if they could chase down 227 they would send the Trescobeas side down and avoid a final-day, winner takes all, relegation decider on Saturday.

Earlier, Wadebridge got off to a superb start as South African Kevin Renecke (64) and former Tintagel batsman Matthew Jolliffe (36) put on 91 for the first wicket.

However the dismissal of Renecke, caught behind off Jim Shorten, saw the hosts lose six wickets for just 32 runs, five of which were shared by Shorten (2-29) and spinner James Boundy (3-41).

With Callington struggling with the bat in recent weeks, the last thing they needed was an unbroken 103-run stand between skipper Callum Wilson and Charlie Ellis.

Wilson made a 62-ball 73 while Ellis added 20.

The visitors set off in hot pursuit with opener Aidan Libby smashing the ball to all parts.

When he was out in the 22nd over, caught behind off debutant leg-spinner Harry Tinker for 66 off 65 balls, he had provided the perfect platform at 100-2.

Yannick Leonard (37) and Peter Tancock (12) then took the score to 134 before both men fell.

When Ollie Allsop departed at 145-5, Wadebridge would have fancied their chances.

But Parker and Joe White added 43 before White (19) and Boundy (0) were dismissed in quick succession, meaning 36 were required with three wickets remaining.

Parker and Alex Mortimore (18) kept their cool to gradually bring the target down before Mortimore was run-out with four required. But Parker (39no) smashed Ollie Bate through the covers to win the game and consign Falmouth to relegation from the top-flight for the first time in their history.

Werrington made the long trip down to St Just but were well beaten by seven wickets.

After being sent in, Adam Hodgson was bowled by Dan Lello in the first over for 0 before Adam Jenkin and skipper Paul Smith put on 73 in 20 overs.

Smith was dismissed by his opposite number Gareth May for 37, which prompted a collapse as Matt Robins and Mark Gribble both fell for nought to the spin twins of May (2-22) and Lewis Goldsworthy (1-12), who last week signed a two-year professional contract with Somerset.

Jenkin was run-out by Goldsworthy for 40 and when Nick Lawson was also run-out for seven at 92-6, it looked as if an early finish was on the cards.

But the Werrington innings was rescued by the returning Ben Smeeth, back in action for the first time since July 20, following a family holiday to Australia, and Tom Dinnis.

They put on 58 for the seventh wicket before Dinnis was caught behind off Lello (4-36) for 27.

Jono Baldock added 12 at the end as they were dismissed for 173.

St Just cruised to victory with 73 balls to spare, although the visitors were left frustrated by an appeal for caught-behind against May which wasn’t given.

Despite that, they were in the game at 48-2 with Baldock dismissing Jacob Harvey (0) and Goldsworthy (15).

However May and Neil Curnow put on 97 to seal the contest, 47 of which came from Curnow, before he was trapped lbw by Hodgson (1-36).

Lello joined May (76no) to thrash 20 off just 18 balls to close the game out. Werrington require seven points from their final day clash at home to Truro to be assured of third.

A dramatic final day is in store in County Division One with Launceston and Werrington seconds among four teams who could join St Austell seconds in going down.

Werrington had to win their home game against Ludgvan and did so by 78 runs.

However it didn’t look good early on as they fell to 88-5, despite twenties from John Moon (25) and Mark Hodgson (20).

The rest of the innings was dominated by Ben Jenkin. The right-hander batted the rest of the way through to make 86 and shared stands of 43 with Mark Taskis (19) and 98 with wicketkeeper Robert Dymond, who struck six fours and two sixes in his 52.

A couple of late wickets saw Werrington end on 246-8.

After Ludgvan lost opener John Hosking for just a single at 18-1, Scott Stevens (35) and Kyle Stevens (31) added 54.

Once they were separated, wickets fell at regular intervals, seven of which fell to off-spinners Hodgson (3-31) and Nick Ward (4-35).

Heading into the final over, Ludgvan’s last pair had already picked up their fourth batting point. Hodgson decided to throw the ball to Moon for his first bowl since June and it worked as last man Kieran Stevens was pinned lbw.

While Werrington earned 20 points, there was a disastrous afternoon for Launceston at Camborne, who secured the title with the win.

After being put in, Robert Mutch (0) fell in the first over, trapped lbw by Jordan Harvey.

Michael Diebner (20) and Dan Tilley then added 38 to get them on track before Tilley was caught for 11.

The rest of the innings — Michael Bolt aside — never got going.

Swing bowler Martin Jenkin ripped through the middle order on his way to figures of 6-16 off nine overs.

At 71-7, there was a danger of not even grabbing the nine required to get a second batting point. But Bolt added 28 with Matt Bloomfield before the last three wickets fell for just a run. Bolt was unbeaten on 36.

Camborne eased home in just 21.1 overs, with Dan Mitchell making 33. Peter West took 2-36 but three points may not be enough.

With Gorran picking up 20 points against St Austell seconds, just six points separate Werrington in the final relegation place and Ludgvan.

If Werrington win at Rosudgeon then the loser of Launceston against Gorran are likely to go down. Ludgvan go to third-placed Redruth seconds.

To make things even more confusing, whoever goes down from County Division One will impact how many teams are relegated from Division Two East and below.

As Ludgvan are the only team from the West section in danger, if they are relegated just two teams will go down in Division Two East.

But if either of Werrington, Launceston or Gorran drop, then three will, as the leagues have to be rebalanced.

The relegation battle is equally as close in Division Two East with six teams still in danger of joining relegated Ladock in the fourth-tier next summer.

St Minver earned their fifth win in six as they beat fellow Post area side Bude by eight wickets.

Bude could only manage 147 before being bowled out with seven overs unused.

Ross Keast took care of the top three on his way to season’s best figures of 5-40 from his 12 overs.

The innings was repaired somewhat by Thomas Hall’s 40 as he received useful support from Matt Williams (17) and Matt Mansbridge (20).

When Hall was dismissed by Keast at 116-6, it took double figure scores from Andrew De Rosa (12) and Freddie Stevenson (15) to get the score up to 147.

Will Durrant chipped in at the end with 3-24 off his ten overs.

Openers Antony Ash and Matt Gilbert added 73 in 16 overs to give them the hosts a perfect platform before De Rosa (2-35) trapped Gilbert lbw for 12.

Ash was stumped off the same bowler at 83-1, but that was as good as it got as Durrant (38no) and Ryan Pooley (33no) saw them home.

Luckett fell to an agonising one-run defeat against Saltash, who take their own survival hopes to the final day.

The ten-man visitors were bowled out for just 136, which is usually way below par on such a small ground.

South African Blaze Eigenmann crashed the bowling around for his 49 but the rest of the innings was kept in check by Mark Southcott (2-26) and Jonathan Hoskin, the latter recording the brilliant figures of 6-20 off his 10.3 overs.

Although openers Luke Brenton and Richard Brown both reached double figures, Saltash continued to plug away, taking wickets throughout, including Eigenmann’s 5-38.

It looked as if the last-wicket stand between Southcott (18no) and Dave Brown (8) would get them over the line, but Brown was run-out off the final ball, allowing Saltash to record a crucial victory and keep Luckett looking over their shoulders.

As things stand, being 21 points clear of Saltash, if two go down then they are safe, but should an East side go down from the league above, they may need to win their final day clash at Roche.

Bude are also on 263 points alongside Luckett and welcome Grampound Road, who are likely to have to win.

St Minver have the best game they could hope for as they head to Ladock, but with six teams still in trouble, any number of possibilities are possible.

While Newquay were runaway winners of Division Two, Holsworthy will have to win their final day clash at St Austell thirds to secure the Division Three East title and secure a county final next Saturday at Pencarrow.

The fact they are still top was down to the brilliance of opener Jack May as they won by three wickets at South Petherwin with three balls to spare.

Although Nick Gerry and Adrian Warne departed early, the home side recovered to make 192 all out thanks to Paul Clements’ (50) half century and useful contributions from Adam Warne (30) (pictured right), Taylor Gerry (24) and Adrian Clements (17).

Jack Greening (2-33) and George Wilcox (2-30) went for just 63 from their combined 23 overs.

Although four other batsmen passed double figures, the Holsworthy reply was all about May.

The right-hander batted through the whole innings to make an unbeaten 102, hitting 14 fours in the process.

He was joined at the end by Ryan Bridgeman who made a crucial unbeaten 12.

For Petherwin, Paul Clements went for just 20 overs off his 11 overs while Jacob Masters weighed in with 3-17.

Fourteen points at St Austell will assure them the title from St Blazey, who visit Newquay seconds.

At the other end, Bude seconds and their Launceston counterparts both recorded crucial victories in their battle for survival.

At Crooklets, Bude eased past ten-man St Austell thirds to win by 84 runs.

Chris Parkes made 82 to propel the hosts up to 187-7 while Derek Piper (16), Matt Whitefield (22) and Mike Taylor (18) also chipped in.

Taylor’s great day continued with the ball as the visitors collapsed.

After openers Mark Bennetts (43no) and Brandon Wilson (20) got the innings off to a steady start, Taylor (3-29) and Gordon Wint (5-25) ran through the middle and lower order to give them every chance of preserving their fourth-tier status.

Launceston remain a point back after recording a seven-wicket victory over their Newquay counterparts at Lawhitton.

David Cox (3-21) bowled 12 straight overs to dismiss the dangerous top three of Tommy Rodda (18) Tom Rhodes (24) and Matt Millward (17), and although Jon Watkins made 31, Jake Barber kept picking up crucial wickets on his way to figures of 5-33 off nine overs, as Newquay were held to 171-9.

The home reply was dominated by Barber and skipper Darren Jenkin as they put on nearly 100 for the second wicket.

Barber made 43 while Jenkin smashed 52 off just 30 balls before needlessly running himself out.

Tommy Davey (29no) and David Sillifant (12no) then got stuck in to see them over the line.

Callington hammered a full-strength St Neot side by six wickets at Moores Park to ensure that St Neot must beat Roche on the final day and hope that Bude and Launceston lose.

After choosing to bat, Jon Moss (37) and David Masters took the score to 75-2 before the departure of Masters saw the away side collapse to 105-8.

Andrew Tamblyn’s unbeaten 22 got them up to 139. Ashley Small led the way with the ball for Callington with 4-25 while teenagers Toby Morgan (2-21) and James Brenton (2-27) chipped in.

In reply, the game was in the balance at 70-4. But Toby May (56no) and Lee Cosgrove guided Callington home in the 28th over.

Roche are the visitors to St Neot on the final day, knowing that 18 points will be enough.

On Saturday they eased past Tintagel by eight wickets in pursuit of 140.

Tintagel were restricted to just 139-9 off their 45 overs with only Jason Seldon (33) and Jordan Burnard (28) passing 20.

Roche then took their time and got home with five overs to spare. Ben Lane and Harry Daly were the wicket takers for the North Cornwall club.

There were two rearranged games involving Post area clubs in tier three.

Luckett seconds had no trouble in winning by 102 runs at bottom side Delabole in Division Four East.

Martin Budge made 72 while there were useful contributions from Richard Seeley (41no), Steve Brown (23) and Steven Gold (22) in their 199-6. Michael Barrett was miserly in taking 2-22 off his ten overs.

The Delabole response lasted just 26.5 overs as they were bowled out for 92. Drew Burnard made 31 but no-one else passed 20.

Brown’s excellent personal day continued as he claimed 5-24 while veteran Alan Skeet weighed in with 3-14 off 8.5 overs.

Elsewhere, Bugle picked up the point they needed to pip Werrington thirds to the league title, but both sides will be back in Division Three East next summer.

Milton Abbot rounded off a solid season in Division Five East with a 109-run victory over Wadebridge thirds at Baxter Park.

Four batsmen passed 20 in Milton Abbot’s 202-7 with Nick Ireland’s 37 the best.

All six home bowlers then got in on the act as Wadebridge mustered just 93. Nathan Patrick, Tom Rickard, Simon Glossop and Piran Rolls all took two apiece.

See next week’s Post for all the news from the final day of the regular season.

Summary scores

ECB Cornwall Premier League

St Just — Werrington 173 (A Jenkin 40, P Smith 37, B Smeeth 36, T Dinnis 27; D Lello 4-36, G May 2-22), St Just 176-3 (G May 76no, N Curnow 47, D Lello 20no; J Baldock 2-43). St Just (20 points) beat Werrington (four) by seven wickets.

Wadebridge — Wadebridge 226-6 (C Wilson 73no, K Renecke 64, M Jolliffe 36, C Ellis 20no; J Boundy 3-41, J Shorten 2-29), Callington 227-8 (A Libby 66, N Parker 39no, Y Leonard 37; C Wilson 3-30, E Dunnett 2-51). Callington (18 points) beat Wadebridge (nine) by two wickets.

County Division One

Camborne — Launceston 100 (M Bolt 36no, M Diebner 20; M Jenkin 6-16, S Pooley 2-37), Camborne 101-2 (D Mitchell 33; P West 2-36). Camborne (20 points) beat Launceston (three) by eight wickets to win the division.

Werrington — Werrington 246-8 (B Jenkin 86no, R Dymond 52, J Moon 25, M Hodgson 20; M Fitchett 2-46, J Trudgeon 2-59), Ludgvan 168 (S Stevens 35, K Stevens 31; N Ward 4-35, M Hodgson 3-31). Werrington (20 points) beat Ludgvan (eight) by 78 runs.

Division Two East

Luckett — Saltash Town 136 (B Eigenmann 49, extras 35; J Hoskin 6-20, M Southcott 2-26), Luckett 135 (L Cole 29, extras 26; B Eigenmann 5-38, J Trembath 2-35). Saltash Town (18 points) beat Luckett (eight) by one run.

St Minver — Bude 147 (T Hall 40, M Mansbridge 20; R Keast 5-40, W Durrant 3-24), St Minver 149-2 (A Ash 42, W Durrant 38no, R Pooley 33no; A De Rosa 2-35). St Minver (20 points) beat Bude (four) by eight wickets.

Division Three East

Bude — Bude 187-7 (C Parkes 82, Matt Whitefield 22; T Rosevear 2-35, J Baker 2-47, N Fosten 2-72), St Austell 103 (M Bennetts 43, B Wilson 20; G Wint 5-25, M Taylor 3-29). Bude (19 points) beat St Austell (five) by 84 runs.

Callington — St Neot 139 (J Moss 37, D Masters 25, A Tamblyn 22no; A Small 4-25, T Morgan 2-21, J Brenton 2-27), Callington 140-4 (T May 56no, L Cosgrove 31no). Callington (20 points) beat St Neot (five) by six wickets.

Launceston — Newquay 171-9 (J Watkins 31, T Rhodes 24; J Barber 5-33, D Cox 3-21), Launceston 173-3 (D Jenkin 52, J Barber 43, T Davey 29no). Launceston (19 points) beat Newquay (five) by seven wickets.

Roche — Tintagel 139-9 (J Seldon 33, J Burnard 28; M Trudgeon 5-43), Roche 140-2 (T Rowe 41, F Kertai 39, M Sweet 23no). Roche (19 points) beat Tintagel (four) by eight wickets.

South Petherwin — South Petherwin 192 (P Clements 50, Adam Warne 30, T Gerry 24; G Willcox 2-30, R Bridgeman 2-32, J Greening 2-33), Holsworthy 193-7 (J May 102no; J Masters 3-17, A Clements 2-60). Holsworthy (20 points) beat South Petherwin (seven) by three wickets with three balls remaining.

Division Four East

Delabole — Luckett 199-6 (M Budge 72, R Seeley 41no, S Brown 23, S Gold 22; M Barrett 2-22), Delabole 92 (D Burnard 31; S Brown 5-28, A Skeet 3-14) Luckett (19 points) beat Delabole (five) by 107 runs.

Division Five East

Milton Abbot — Milton Abbot 201-7 (N Ireland 37, P Crocker 31, T Rickard 28, M Elmer 23; T Plant 3-52, J Rutherford 2-11), Wadebridge 93 (S Meneer 25; S Glossop 2-9, P Rolls 2-14, T Rickard 2-17, N Patrick 2-22). Milton Abbot (20 points) beat Wadebridge (five) by 109 runs.