Buddha bash, car crash, Perran thrash

Fresh from their coaching session with Mike Atherton the previous week, his luck had to change - but no, you guessed it - skipper Mark "Facilities" Johnson lost the toss and Mullion 2s took the field under a sky devoid of cloud, with a gale force easterly sweeping the ground.

Tight bowling by Ian "Buddha" Laity and Phil Harding made early runs hard to come by for the Perran openers, and in the fifth over Thomas mis-timed a drive to extra-cover where Ben Tremayne took a regulation catch, 6 for 1. Ayling and Gripper dispelled any thoughts that this was going to be an easy afternoon for Mullion as they began to play their shots.

Fortunately the Mullion fielding was also on song, although Buddha did take things to the extreme by using his nose (via boot and stomach) to stop a fierce Thomas straight drive.

Gripper and Ayling managed to take the score up to 56 (despite a minor diversion when a six off the now nasally challenged Buddha cleared the pavilion but not the bonnet of a passing Subaru Impreza). Gripper succumbed to the curse of the Buddha and was bowled. 56 for 2. Ayling was then joined by wicket keeper Haine and together they put on a further 29 runs before Haine was trapped lbw by "Facilities" Johnson.

Mullion Chairman Dave Fowles claimed another quick wicket, along with Johnson and Hardings as Perran reeled at 103 for 6. At which point Mullion decided it was time for a siesta and the next 10 overs yielded 64 runs before Barry Partridge tempted Childs to hole out to Mark Hall in the covers.

Having recognised the wake-up call, Mullion then wrapped up the innings within four overs (Johnson, Partridge and a suicidal run out doing the damage) leaving Bamber three short of what would have been a well deserved half century. Perranaworthal 179 all out.

Mullion's response was positive with Partridge and Jennings putting on 19 for the first wicket before Partridge was trapped lbw by Child in the 10th over. This brought Bruce Jordan to the crease and the next five overs saw the addition of 24 runs before Mark Jennings was unluckily run out attempting a fourth. Mark Hall added 60 in the next 12 overs, before he played across a straight one from Child and became the fourth lbw victim of the day.

With the arrival of new batsman Daniel Johnson, Jordan took control and reached his maiden half-century for Mullion, but shortly afterwards a rare lapse saw his eyes light up, chasing a wide ball caught cover.

As often happens in such instances, wickets are likely to fall in quick succession, and today was no exception. Buddha the new batsman decided to deposit his fourth ball into the sea - but was bowled. No one knows if it was his right, or left glove (or bat) that made it into the changing room ahead of the Buddha.

By now the youthful pairing of Ben Tremayne had joined Daniel Johnson in the middle, and they quickly dispelled any doubts Mullion may have had that a terminal collapse was brewing. Displaying a maturity beyond their years and beyond the capabilities of their more senior teammates, they added 45 till, on the point of victory, Johnson holed out to square leg for 27. This facilitated the advent of "Facilities" Johnson who wasted no time in striking the winning boundary.

Perran 3s† 179ao in 46 ov; Mullion 2s 180-6 in 41 ov (B Jordan 55; D Johnson 27). Mullion 2s won by 4 wickets.

Mullion 1s had a week off so have slipped to second in the table, but do have a game in hand.