ECB CORNWALL PREMIER LEAGUE (SATURDAY)

Helston v St Austell

CORNWALL youngster Ben Sleeman and all-rounder Steve Raven were the heroes as St Austell produced a superb comeback to win by 20 runs at Helston on Saturday.

The Saints looked down and out with the Blues 132-3 in pursuit of 179, before Sleeman and Raven shared seven wickets.

Earlier in the day, Helston’s bowlers got off to a fine start as Mike Bone was caught at square leg for nought off spinner Lance Alberts, before seamer Ryan Tonkin dismissed Curtis Dalby and Connor Cooke cheaply to make it 11-3.

Sleeman, promoted up to number three, then added 43 with key man Alex Bone (19) before the latter found Karl Leathley off the recalled William Jenkin.

Sleeman and skipper Gary Bone then rebuilt the innings somewhat with a stand of 43 before Sleeman, who made 38 from 78 balls, became Leathley’s third catch of the day, this time Lewis Stephens being the bowler.

Bone (55no) provided a fine captain’s knock, sharing stands of 34 with Oli Sleeman (13) and 33 with Steve Raven (15) before they were dismissed for 178 with nine balls unused.

Helston lost key man Karl Leathley for just five, but Billy Taylor (38) and Justin Stephens (30) put on 71 before both fell within ten runs of each other (89-3).

Former captain Steve Jenkin and Alberts then added a further 43, and it seemed like the Blues were cruising.

But Alberts (15) edged Raven behind to Alex Bone with the same two combining Jenkin (34) at 145-5.

Aussie left-arm spinner Dan Standing (1-34) accounted for Will Jenkin before Raven (4-18 off 5) dismissed Sunshine Osmont and Lewis Stephens in consecutive balls.

It was left to Sleeman (3-15 off 6.1) to end a remarkable finish by dismissing Dan Jenkin and then having Ryan Tonkin caught behind.