Helston 256-3 (17pts) beat Beacon 253-4 (6pts) by seven wickets

Helston came out on top in the top-of-the-table clash in County Division 1 on Saturday, winning by seven wickets at home to Beacon.

Eben Koekemoer was the hero for Helston with a stunning 169 not out as they successfully chased Beacon’s 253 with 2.5 overs to spare.

The win puts Helston eight points clear of their opponents with a game in hand.

Falmouth Packet:

Helston bowler Steve Eddy (left) sends a ball towards the Beacon batsman during Saturday's game

Beacon won the toss and decided to bat, with James Gool (12) and Ben James running up 41 before Gool was caught by Chris Martin off Steve Eddy’s delivery.

James continued and reached 83 off 106 balls before he was caught by Bradley Bury.

Daniel Mellor (44) had scored 42 runs alongside James but only managed two more before he was caught by Koekemoer to leave his side on 160-3.

Jordan Thomas (11) followed, with Darren Thomas (37 no) and Dominic Batchelor (39 no) contributing a combined 76 to take their side to 253-4 before their overs ran out.

Martin suffered an early exit as Helston’s reply got off to a shaky start.

He was bowled for eight off Bachelor, with replacement Stephen Wiseman scoring one run before Batchelor claimed him as well.

Falmouth Packet:

Helston bowler Steve Jenkin (above) in action during Saturday's game

However Koekemoer came in and ran the show, scoring a superb 169 not out off 144 balls, including 19 fours and three sixes.

He did much of this alongside Karl Leathley, who supported with 47 runs off 116 balls.

Ben Rule contributed 17 not out after Leathley was bowled by James Thurgood as Helston got over the line.

Fall of wickets (Beacon): 41-1 J Gool (B James-28*); 158-2 B James (D Mellor-42*); 160-3 D Mellor (J Thomas-0*); 176-4 J Thomas (D Proctor-2*).

Fall of wickets (Helston): 9-1 C Martin (K Leathley-0*); 11-2 S Wiseman (K Leathley-1*); 181-3 K Leathley (E Koekemoer-114*).