Mullion keep on winning

John Trewin is handed his man-of-the match award © Mullion CC

It is not very often that you can award the man of the match to someone who scores 36, takes no catches and does not bowl; but that is not the case with Mullion player John Trewin. Playing host to Ludgvan 2s, Mullion 1s lost the toss and found themselves in the field. As is becoming a regular feature, opening bowler Jeff Charleston (this time getting to the ground on time) kept the batsmen quiet conceding only 12 runs from his allotted 12 overs, picking up a couple of wickets.

Ludgvan were never allowed to form a partnership as their wickets steadily fell. By drinks after 24 overs they were on 47 for 6 and the Mullion boys in their new badged up shirts were confident of an early tea, knock off a few runs and retire victoriously to the bar. That was when the runs started to come freely. Mullion started to field badly with too many extras scored (ultimately Ludvan's highest scorer) as well as wasted overthrows. To the rescue came 14-year-old Mark Johnson (not to be confused with the much senior captain of the 2s, Mark Johnson). Only allowed to bowl five overs at a time his second spell knocked out the remaining Ludgvan bats as he returned figures of 4 for 24. At that stage we were also wondering what the legal position is on awarding a bottle of rum to a 14-year-old for man of the match. Ludgvan ended on 135 all out.

The match was for from over. Mullion started well looking to finish the game by the 30th over. Even at 80 for 4 things were looking good but then it became 102 for 7. Would Mullion snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? As the No. 11 (David Fowles) went in to bat with seven runs needed to win, he was receiving advice from players and spectators alike. "Just block them out and let John get the runs".

With just two runs required, John Trewin, who had gone in as No. 6, polished off the innings with a powerful cut that smashed into the clubhouse, earning him the man-of-the-match award for a priceless 36*.

The 2s lost the toss (again), Mullion batted and St Erme 2s felt their decision justified following three wins out of three. With the pitch offering some help to the bowlers both openers were removed cheaply and it was left to Bruce Jordan and Gary Tremayne to steady the ship, taking the visitors to 40 without further loss at drinks.

Jordan departed for 21 at the end of the first over back but Tremayne scored 43 valuable runs. Ian (Buddha) Laity chipped in with 13 and the tail wagged so Mullion finished on 143 for 7 with Tom Gill unbeaten on 21.

Having suffered anther of Mark Johnston's pep talks over tea, it was a determined Mullion who took the field. Sadly the first six overs didn't bode well for the visitors with Ian Laity struggling to find rhythm bowling up the appreciable slope, neither of the St Erme openers seemed troubled.

Tremayne replaced Laity and a succession of St Erme wickets tumbled. By now Phil Harding had settled into a groove and was consistently beating the bat. However at 38 for 3 St Erme probably still felt comfortable with their strong batting line-up.

But it was not to be. Consistent good bowling helped by excellent ground fielding and superb catching saw wickets continue to fall with alarming regularity and at the mid-innings drinks interval the home side had collapsed to 49 for 9 with Gary Tremayne having taken 5 for 10 and Phil Harding 4 for 27. All that was left was for Ian Laity to return (bowling down the hill this time) and claim the final wicket as St Erme finished on 54 all out.

Tremayne may be looking for a place in the 1s as this is his second five-wicket haul in succession. It was a thoroughly deserved and convincing win for the visitors.

†Ludgvan 2s 135ao in 44.3 ovs (L Brown 28; M Johnson 4-24); Mullion 1s 140 for 9 in 42.1 ovs (J Trewin 36*; S Pope 3-26). Mullion 1s won by one wicket

Mullion 2s 153 for 8 in 48 ovs (G Tremayne 43); †St Erme 2s 54ao in 24.2 (G Tremayne 5-10). Mullion won by 99 runs

Cockspur Rum man-of-the-match Trewin 36*