Cornwall Cricket League County Division One latest round-up

THE County Division One title race could not be any closer as Beacon and Grampound Road face a final day shoot-out.

Both teams were in action twice over the penultimate weekend, but it was Grampound Road’s defeat at neighbours St Erme on Saturday which means both teams head into the final weekend level on points.

But due to Beacon’s superior head to head record against the Roadies – 24 points to 23 – 20 points in their final day trip to Falmouth will seal the deal.

While Beacon eased to an emphatic eight-wicket success at relegated Camborne Seconds on Saturday after dismissing the hosts for just 83, the Road had a day to forget at St Erme.

The hosts recovered from 144-7 to post 219-9 with Callum Edgcombe making a crucial 50 as Nathan Keevil took 4-47.

The Road were going well at 55-2 with Chris Roberts (25) and Ravi Karunarathna (24) set, but four wickets fell for just six runs and they never recovered to be dismissed for 112.

Spencer Wilcock took 3-35 while Kyle Van Rooyen, Dylan Smith and Jack Evans all had two apiece.

That meant both teams were level going into their Sunday fixtures.

Beacon recovered from a slow start to post 261-6 against Falmouth with Cornwall all-rounder Jordan Thomas making an unbeaten 126.

He shared in a third wicket stand of 142 with skipper Ben James who made 67. Antony Angove (1-26) and Adrian Noott (2-37) slowed it down.

Falmouth mustered just 106 in response with Chris Terrill – taking the new ball with Jordan Thomas having a breather – claiming 4-39 with his swingers.

Ben James (2-25) and Anna Squire (2-9) also chipped in.

Grampound Road made the short trip up to a Roche side who confirmed their safety despite losing by six wickets.

Roche soon fell to 55-7 and although Harry Trethewey made a battling 27 not out and Oscar Green 14, the end came at just 101 after 36 overs. Dan Ferris took 3-13 from six overs.

Stewart May accounted for openers Alex Lean and Tom Orpe in reply, and although they slipped to 68-4 with May (3-46) taking a third, Ravi Karunarathna’s unbeaten 28 in partnership with Chris Roberts got the job done. Harry Gregory got 27 against his old club.

Roche’s three points coupled with their 20 points over bottom side Penzance Seconds ensured they are safe with Mullion joining the second teams of Wadebridge, Camborne and Penzance in going down.

Opening bowlers Stewart May (2-25) and Ryan Clark (2-46) did the early damage before Tyler Trudgeon (4-42) weighed in.

Openers Dan Robotham (54no) and Ryan Clark (51no) then made unbeaten half centuries in a chase of 113.

Mullion were beaten by ten runs by visiting Falmouth which sealed their fate.

Adrian Noott (73) and Antony Angove (43) were the main run getters in Falmouth’s 209 all out before Mullion came up agonisingly short.

Openers Michael Blanks (43) and Joe Casley (79) added 107 in good time, and reached 162 before losing their last eight wickets for just 37 runs with Angove taking 8-37.

Elsewhere in the division, Hayle guaranteed third with a comfortable win at Newquay.

They posted an imposing 263-4 with Kiwi Ben Homan making 81 before the home side were all out for just 140 in response, James Franklin taking 3-52. Toby Chillingworth’s 27 was the best.

Paul know an 18-point victory will secure fourth on the final day after thrashing relegated Wadebridge Seconds by nine wickets.

The Bridge mustered just 73 all out as Michael Fitchett (4-28) and Damon Nicholls (5-34) shared nine wickets, before Paul eased home in 9.4 overs.