Mixed weekend for Cornish stars

On a balmy day, Mullion 1s took on Wendron 2s at Wendron's notorious ground. Wendron won the toss and batted on a wicket that would only get worse but lost their first wicket on three as Jeff Charleston continued his match-winning season. It was slow going for Wendron after that as wickets fell regularly and in the 43rd over they were all out for 133. B Andrew top scored with 24, Charleston finished with 3 for 38, Nick Casley 2 for 14 and Mark Griffiths 2 for 23.

Mullion's batting this year has serious clout and 133 was always going to be gettable. The opening pair of Phil Wheatley and John Trewin set about the task with grit and determination but with 26 on the board, Wheatley skied mid on. Jim Pearson joined Trewin taking the score past 50 before Trewin sliced to deep gully.

Enter Kevin Bosustow, with all thoughts of upset between the past and current captains put aside after a disagreement on the field earlier. Bosustow with a flurry of bold shots including a massive six proved to all that there is still a good meat in his trusty hunk of willow.

With the score on 87 he over extended himself and shot the ball to the heavens to be caught at midwicket. Jonny Gibbons came in and found some of his old form with a solid 24 then was bowled. But with the score on 132 and just two required for victory, Pearson pushed a single to leave the winning shot to Nick Casley who advanced down the track and swiped to the boundary. Pearson ended on 44 not out.

Wendron 2s† 133ao in 44 ov (B Andrew 24; J Charleston 3-38); Mullion 1s 137 for 4 in 33 ov (J Pearson 44*). Mullion 1s won by 6 wickets

Well, it had to happen. The Mullion 2s' bandwagon came up against a large rut in the road to Division Six thanks to fourth-placed Mt Hawke 2s.

On another glorious Mullion afternoon, skipper Mark "Facilities" Johnson duly lost the toss and was invited to chase leather. One got the sense that this wasn't going to be Mullion's day as it wasn't until the 13th over and with 35 runs on the board that the first runs came off the middle of a Mount Hawke bat. On the rare occasion the ball didn't beat the bat, the ball either bounced in front of the slips, flew over the slips, landed between slips or just hit the slips. You can paint your own picture. At the first drinks interval the Mount Hawke openers had made 50 without loss but Mullion felt that that elusive first wicket wasn't far away ...

With the score on 72, Mullion chairman Dave Fowles struck with his first ball bowling Abbot for 36. Then Mt Hawke were 83 for 3 then 107 for 4 when Fowles snapped up Thomas off Johnson's bowling for 19.

At this point what little luck Mullion had finally deserted them. The normally (this season at least) safe Mullion hands began to be less secure and three chances went begging (all off the bowling of the unfortunate Dave Fowles) - the highlight being a mis-timed drive skied up to extra cover. With two Mullion fielders closing, a cry of "somebody call for it" rang out - this was followed by total silence, broken by the sound of the ball thudding into the ground between the bemused Mullion fielders. The wheels were definitely starting to wobble.

Finally, Jacob Rae held onto a chance from Fowles but that was about as good as it was going to get for Mullion. Steve Cloak had now come to the crease and although a couple of further wickets did fall, the Mt Hawke innings took on a new direction. He smashed a superb 76 not out off facing only 27 balls in the process, Gary Tremayne and Dave Fowles in particular being on the receiving end of some extremely clean hitting. The visitors finished on 234 for 7.

In the second over of Mullion's reply, opener Mark Jennings hit his own wicket trying to stop the ball spinning back off his pads onto the stumps. Jordan joined Stuteley taking the score to 25 before Stutely played inside a ball from Maltwood and was caught behind for 16. Daniel Johnson faced only four balls before forgetting that he had feet attached to his legs and nicked to the keeper.

In strode skipper Johnson. Having successfully fended off the first ball, he was seen to remove his glasses, claiming that he couldn't see. Four balls later he holed out to mid-off. Bruce Jordan played a full toss from Maltwood off the back of the bat and was caught at second slip. 44 for 5 and things were not looking good for Mullion.

Ben Tremayne joined his father but was soon caught and bowled by Cloak for 4. Gary provided some staunch resistance but was eventually out lbw to that man Cloak for 12. Chris Cuff and Jacob Rae managed to stem the tide for a while before Cloak claimed his third victim by bowling Rae. The end was inevitable 123 all out and Mount Hawke emerged as the worthy winners by 111 runs. Hopefully the wheels will be repaired in time for next week's visit to Botallack so that normal service can be resumed.

Mt Hawke 2s† 234-8 in 48 ov (S Cloak 76*; D Fowles 3-77); Mullion 2s 123ao in 30 ov (C Cuff 23; S Cloak 3-21). Mt Hawke 2s won by 111 runs.

Cockspur Man of the Match: Steve Cloak of Mt Hawke (The first non-Mullion player to receive the award)