IF Helston have title ambitions this year, games such as this against Hayle are ones they need to win, writes Michael Weeks.

When last man Steve Eddy joined Tom Retallack five runs were still required after Werner Potgieter and Steve Jenkin had gone in quick succession to set up a nail biting finish.

They got their side over the line however to see them lie in fourth spot, 15 points behind the leaders St Minver, who they visit on Saturday in a very important early season game.

Requiring 189 Helston lost skipper Dan Jenkin for 12 when he was LBW to Dan Lello.

The previous week’s centurion, Mark Jenkin, went LBW to Joe Irwin for ten and when Ross Leathley departed at 61-3 the honours were just about even.

Helston’s middle order then made the telling contributions with Tommy Sturgess top scoring with 44, while Ben Rule made 31 with Chris Martin and Tregenza getting 25 apiece.

At 170-5, matters looked in control but the clatter of four late wickets set up a nervy finish.

Lello completed a fine game with four for 47 and there were two each for Irwin and Tony Riggall.

Earlier Hayle got off to a poor start with openers Steve Richards and James Franklin dismissed by Retallack and Eddy with only 19 on the board, which soon became 53-4 as Gavin Tregenza got in on the act.

The recovery came thanks to a stand between Paul Lello, 72, and his son Daniel, 52, as they added 108 for the fifth wicket.

Tregenza completed a fine spell to take six for 33 from ten overs.

The trip to St Minver on Saturday is followed by the visit of Roche to Beacon Park on Holiday Monday.