ECB Cornwall Premier League round-up – Saturday, August 10

TITLE favourites Penzance extended their lead over nearest challengers Callington to 18 points on Saturday as the weather had a big say on the title race yet again.

Only two of the six games were played to a finish with two abandoned and two never even starting.

At Callington, they welcomed struggling St Just and the hosts were in the driver’s seat as Ben Ellis took 4-34 as the Cape Road outfit were struggling at 55-5 with only Neil Curnow (10) and Gareth May (11no) reaching double figures.

The umpires took them off and although the weather improved, just after 5.30pm, the game was abandoned.

That meant Penzance were able to take advantage with an eight-wicket success at last year’s champions Wadebridge.

Wadebridge chose to bat at Egloshayle Park and got off to a quick start as brothers Tom and Charlie McLachlan put on 33.

But Charlie, who had raced to 22 from just 19 balls with five fours, was the first to go when he was caught by Jack Parker off Dylan Blignaut.

Tom soon edged Jonny Ludlam through to wicket-keeper Jack Paull for 11.

Matt Rowe and Matt Robins put on 28 before Robins was castled by Tom Dinnis.

Dinnis then struck again in his next over by trapping Rowe lbw, and when Andrew Libby’s left-arm spin accounted for skipper James Turpin (16) it was 92-5.

Play continued until the end of the 27th over with the score at 97-5 before they went off.

After a two and a half hour delay, play eventually resumed just before 5.30pm with Penzance’s target DLS target set at 115 from 25 overs.

Openers Christian Purchase made 15 before being bowled by Matt Lawrence (1-7 off 5), but Jack Paull (44), Daniel Lello (37) and Grant Stone (20no) all scored at a run or better to secure victory in the 20th over.

With the Camborne v Truro and Redruth v Helston games rained off, the only other action was at Werrington who were beaten by just nine runs by St Austell.

As often is the case with the Saints a workmanlike effort with the bat was enough to get the job done.

Openers Dan Jarman (20) and Connor Cooke (25) added 56 at a decent lick before both fell in quick succession to teenager George Rickard (2-25).

Mike Bone and Curtis Dalby put on 34 and although they both departed, brothers Alex Bone and Gary Bone (28) took the score up to 155-4 before Alex (34) became one of three wickets for Mark Taskis.

But although they failed to end the innings with a flourish, bits and pieces got them up to a competitive 193 all out. Ben Smeeth (2-22) and Adam Hodgson (3-41) shared five wickets.

A half an hour rain delay meant Werrington’s target was 184 from 45 overs, and the overs lost proved decisive.

St Austell got off to a great start with the ball as Adam Snowdon trapped Sam Hockin lbw for a second ball duck, before he bowled John Moon for 15 (18-2).

Aussie Dan Standing then turned the game as he first had Sri Lankan pro Thulina Dilshan taken by Steve Raven for 21, before having Adam Hodgson caught behind for 17 by Alex Bone (74-4).

Mark Gribble made a superb 63 for Werrington, but although Ben Smeeth (18) and Ben Jenkin (16) stuck around, they couldn’t score freely, particularly against Gary Bone who sent down nine overs for just 11.

With 30 needed off the final five overs and five wickets left, Werrington were favourites, but Snowdon (4-33) and Standing (3-40) held their nerve.