Home win on derby day

Mullion versus Helston is always going to be a fixture that will stir emotions. Both sides are over 100 years old, both are ex-premier league, both have won their last three matches and they are neighbours.

On Saturday Mullion played host. The first obstacle was the weather. On Friday evening the local seagulls must have thought the cricket pitch was a new watery landing area. Saturday morning came and the sun was making an effort to come out but a full force-eight gale (windy to you non seafaring folks), was making life tricky. This did mean the ground stood a chance, if in not by drying out completely but at least making it playable.

One heavy shower would have ended the match but none came. So at 2pm sharp Mullion took the field to bowl after winning the toss. As usual, "Mr Economy" Jeff Charleston opened the bowling and after his 12 overs had only conceded 17 runs for one wicket. Playing his first match of the year Mullion's Tony Matthews showed everyone just how good he is by claiming 4 for 21.

Last week, 14-year-old Mark Johnson ended the match with two wickets in two balls. Although not technically a hat-trick, three wickets in three balls is a major achievement - something the rest of the team reminded Johnson all week, offering advice on securing this "hat-trick". As cool as the bracing breeze, he ran in and uprooted the off stump of Helston's top scorer Pethick, and ended with 3 for 12 as Helston were all out for only 71 40 minutes before tea.

With rain threatening, Mullion could smell victory and were keen to get the match over. Helston can be a formidable bowling team with ex premier (and Mullion) bowler Brad Bury known to be dangerous. The Mullion openers, Trevor Lee and Kevin Bosustow knew that they should not try and knock everything out of the ground. By 11 overs with the score on 49 Lee was saying to himself "I'll let it get to 50 and then hit out", but then he skied one and departed on 23. Bosustow followed three overs later on 33 but the total was 62. Skipper Jim with Phil Wheatley led Mullion over the line and an eight-wicket victory.

The Cockspur Rum man-of-the-match, which the visiting Helston secretary chose, was Mark Johnson had to pass the rum straight on to his proud father.

Helston 1s 71ao in 31.1ov (S Pethwick 18; T Matthews 4-21, M Johnson 3-12); †Mullion 1s 72-2 in 18.3ov (K Bosustow 33, T Lee 23). Mullion 1s won by 8 wickets

Cockspur Rum man-of-the match Mark Johnson 4-0-12-3