Mullion make perfect start

10:42am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Mullion's dream start to life in division three of the Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League continues as they lead the early season table. Four straight wins have brought 77 points and they are the only unbeaten team remaining in the division.

Saturday's five wicket victory at Mount Hawke & Porthtowan followed on from the Bank Holiday Monday's 88 run home win over Goldsithney. Good knocks from Trevor Lee, Kevin Bosustow, David Dale and Mark Hall, who all passed 20, got the total to a respectable 182-7.

Bosustow with four for 32 and Lee with three for 12 secured the win.

On Saturday at Mount Hawke and Porthtowan the home team totalled 187 for 9. Lee Price top scored with 46 with Deba Sidhu making 35, Rob Atkinson 34 and Richard Chenoweth 27.

Tom Retallack's good start to the season continued as he took three for 69. Tony Matthews and Dan Gillman, back in the Mullion ranks, took two wickets apiece. The Mullion reply was led by skipper Jim Pearson who made an unbeaten 64. He got good support from Phil Wheatley with 41 and Trevor Lee with 30.

On Saturday Mullion are at home to Barripper who challenged them last year for the division Four title.

Mount Hawke and Porthtowan 187-9 (L Prince 46, D Sidhu 35, R Atkinson 34, R Chenoweth 27; T Retallack 3-69, T Matthews 2-47, D Gillman 2-20), Mullion 188-5 (J Pearson 64no, P Wheatley 41, T Lee 30; D Sidhu 2-27). Mullion (19 points) beat Mount Hawke (seven) by five wickets.

Mullion seconds have also made a good start and they mirrored their first XI's performance by also gaining a five wicket win over Mount Hawke & Porthtowan seconds. It moves Mullion to second spot in the table, three points behind Camborne thirds having won three of the first four games.

The win was much down to David Gray who took three for 61 to help bowl the visitors out for 169. Josh Mathias took two for 22. Gray then hit 35 and Mark Todd 31 to see Mullion home.

They travel to Stithians on Saturday who also have only won one of their first four games.

Mount Hawke & Porthtowan 169 (B Skelton 38, S Smith 23; D Gray 3-61, J Mathias 2-22), Mullion 173-5 (D Gray 35, M Todd 31; T Dunstan 2-29, L Hurd 2-47). Mullion (20 points) beat Mount Hawke-Porthtowan (six) by five wickets.

Porthleven got their second win of the season on Saturday but it was a close run thing with victory coming at home by just 13 runs against Hayle seconds in a low scoring game, on a damp pitch.

It follows the Bank Holiday Monday win over Gulval by five wickets after being set 140. Ronnie Williams made 32 with Mark Thomas and Jeff Carvelly hitting 27 each in that success.

On Saturday, having been put in, Porthleven lost Andy Bonnett for 4, JJ Walker (5), Jeff Carvelly (0) and Kevin Oliver (4) to be in some trouble at 25 for 4. Williams, who has joined the club from neighbours Helston, opened the innings and was batting well at the other end. However, with the score at 47 he was stumped for 29 that included five boundaries, made off 58 balls. With two other former Helston players, Bradley Bury making 16 not out and Nigel Dunstan 13, Porthleven recovered somewhat to 96 all out. Bury and last man David Goodchild added, what was to prove, a crucial 17 for the last wicket. Bury and Dunstan had earlier put on 20 for the ninth wicket.

Dunstan was unfortunate to be run out at the bowler's end backing up when the bowler dropped a catch on to the stumps. David Allen and Luke Stuckey took three wickets apiece.

For Hayle Stuckey made 34 but wickets tumbled around him. Bury enjoyed a fine game to take four for 25 and Walker came back to claim the last wicket and end with figures of three for 19 from 7.1 overs. Adam Young took two for 6.

Earlier the opening bowlers had done their job. Carvelly only conceded 16 runs in seven overs while Dunstan got the first wicket conceding 15 runs from six overs.

On Saturday Porthleven make the trip to Penzance seconds who are still looking for their first win.

Porthleven 96 (R Williams 29, B Bury 16no, N Dunstan 13; D Allen 3-7, L Stuckey 3-21), Hayle 83 (L Stuckey 34; B Bury 4-25, JJ Walker 3-19). Porthleven (17 points) beat Hayle (seven) by 13 runs.

Porthleven seconds have made a t Turn to page 68 Harding 63; T Williams 2-41). Porthleven (18 points) beat St Just (six) by seven wickets.

Helston have adapted well to life in division four with three wins out of the first four games. On Saturday at Stithians the home team were dismissed for 175. Peter Boyd took four for 52 with Mike Smith and Moore taking two wickets apiece. Steven Hosking led the way with the bat to make 61. With Smith making 48 and Chris Martin 31 Helston got home in style.

They are on the road again this Saturday with a trip to St Day.

Stithians 175 (A Mitchell 81, J Teixeira 34; P Boyd 4-52, M Smith 2-42, G Moore 2-8), Helston 177-3 (S Hosking 61, M Smith 48, C Martin 31). Helston (20 points) beat Stithians (five) by seven wickets.

In division seven there was no game for Helston mixed start to their division five campaign. After two opening losses they have bounced back with two superb wins.

On the Holiday Monday, having been set 120 at home to Gulval seconds, they romped home by ten wickets in less than 30 overs. Then on Saturday at St Just thirds another great batting effort saw a seven wicket win despite being set 227.

The home team made 226-7 with John Dawson taking five for 53. Porthleven responded excellently through Colin Lee, who made 71 and Phil Harding who hit 63.

St Buryan are the visitors to "The Bottoms" on Saturday.

St Just 226-7 (T Williams 74, S Nicholls 67; J Dawson 5-53), Porthleven 228-3 (C Lee 71, P Harding 63; T Williams 2-41). Porthleven (18 points) beat St Just (six) by seven wickets.

Helston have adapted well to life in division four with three wins out of the first four games. On Saturday at Stithians the home team were dismissed for 175. Peter Boyd took four for 52 with Mike Smith and Moore taking two wickets apiece.

Steven Hosking led the way with the bat to make 61. With Smith making 48 and Chris Martin 31 Helston got home in style.

They are on the road again this Saturday with a trip to St Day.

Stithians 175 (A Mitchell 81, J Teixeira 34; P Boyd 4-52, M Smith 2-42, G Moore 2-8), Helston 177-3 (S Hosking 61, M Smith 48, C Martin 31). Helston (20 points) beat Stithians (five) by seven wickets.

In division seven there was no game for Helston seconds on Saturday when Troon thirds were unable to raise a side.

Botallack seconds visit Beacon Park on Sunday. Helston (20 points) Troon (nil) Troon conceded.

Wendron's disappointing start in division two continued with a three wicket defeat in a low scoring game at Ludgvan.

Wendron, who had a bye on the opening day, have also lost to Falmouth and Redruth seconds to see them propping up the early table. Run scoring was difficult at Ludgvan with the ball not coming onto the bat on a typical early season track.

Only Mark Mitchell with 14 and Brett Andrew with 12 got double figures. Jordan Marsden took four for 17 and Ed Lockyer three for 26.

Wendron put up a brave fight however as Ryan Whitbread took four for 10 and Nigel Harris two for 25 to almost embarrass the home team, who lead the table after four successive victories.

Wendron have another tough game on Saturday with third placed Leedstown due at Underlane.

Wendron 81 (M Mitchell 14, B Andrew 12; J Marsden 4-17, E Lockyer 3-26, N Stevens 2-14), Ludgvan 82-7 (E Lockyer 22; R Whitbread 4-10, N Harris 2-25). Ludgvan (18 points)beat Wendron (five) by three wickets.

Wendron seconds went down to a second defeat of the season when they were beaten at home by Stithians seconds in a local derby.

Glenn Manning top scored with 23 in the Wendron total of 90-8. Stithians got home thanks to an unbroken stand between Andrew Creedon and Robert Buckingham.

Wendron travel to Roskear to play Camborne thirds on Saturday.

Wendron 90-8 (G Manning 23; L Thomas 2-13, C Dennis 2-6), Stithians 93-3 (A Creedon 29no, R Buckingham 26no). Stithians (19 points) beat Wendron (three) by seven wickets.

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