Falmouth 231-7 Penzance 113-4 Bad Light stopped play

Falmouth and Helston have plenty to play for going into the final round of Premier 50/50 Cup matches this weekend, when the sides meet at Helston’s Beacon Park.

Thanks to a spirited performance at Penzance last Saturday by Falmouth both sides a chance of making it to the final at the end of June. Helston had a bye, that co-incided with Flora Day. Truro have already won the east group having completed their programme with three wins and an abandonment.

The two matches this weekend Grampound Road v Newquay and Werrington v St Austell are therefore dead rubbers. Falmouth made the good total of 231 for seven in their fifty overs at St Clare in a game that started on time despite morning rain. The hosts had reached 113 in the 22nd over but had lost four key wickets, when the game was called off at 6.30pm. Falmouth took thirteen points but Penzance only accrued ten points to set up a fascinating weekend ahead. Penzance travel for the always keenly contested West Penwith derby with St Just, at Cape Road. St Just beat Redruth last weekend by eight wickets and head the group on 45 points.

If they win on Saturday they will claim top spot but a Penzance victory could see the St Clare side overtake them. However Helston have 38 points and Falmouth 36 points so the winners at Beacon Park, providing they get enough bonus points, would be set to take advantage of a St Just defeat. Falmouth elected to bat and made a creditable 231-7 with seven batsmen reaching double figures.

Callum Whittaker (27) and Guy Leathley (28) got the innings off to a good start adding 75 for the first wicket before both fell at the same score. Leathley was caught behind off Ludlam and Whittaker lbw to Greg Smith. Dan Davis was then caught behind off Chad Fortune for just two runs. However Harry Roberts (38) and Stefan Churcher (40) combined to add 90 for the fourth wicket to put the visitors right back in the game.

Both fell in quick succession but Jordan Thomas (22) and Duncan Ayres (20no) both made twenties to set a challenging target. Jonny Ludlam took three for 50 and Chad Fortune two for 31. In the Penzance reply Josh Fletcher made 33 and Charlie Hoskings 16 in an opening stand of 49.

However Davis and Ayres shared four wickets to make it 74 for four. Former Derbyshire and Essex player Smith was bowled by Davis for ten and dangerman Christian Purchase holed out to Ayres for 12, with Davis taking the catch. Former Falmouth player Antony Angove was 27 not out, and had put on 39 with Ben Brooks, when the misty rain set in and that was that. Ayres took two for 48 from ten overs and Davis two for 26.