One easy win and a boiling Buddha

It was top versus bottom on Saturday as Mullion 1s welcomed Mt Ambrose to Garro Lane for the Division Five encounter on a hot July afternoon.

The visitors won the toss and batted on a spongy pitch with variable bounce. They began slowly but frustrated the opening attack of Matt Cuff and Mark Johnson. Finally, Cuff's patience paid off in the 14th over - he struck in consecutive deliveries to removing both openers, the first well caught by his father Chris.

Any chance of Mt Ambrose consolidating disappeared as Mullion's first change swing bowler Jeff Charleston bowled a super eight over spell taking 3 for 11 runs, and at the other end Kevin `chucker' Bosustow was able to cash in on some poor shot selection from the visitors to return his second five wicket haul of the season conceding just eight runs. Mt Ambrose 94 all out.

After Tea Mullion were keen to knock off the runs in quick fashion, but a loose drive from opener Bosustow early on looped to mid on and he was back in the pavilion. Mullion knew that a solid partnership was needed to ensure maximum points.

Thankfully Trevor Lee and skipper Jim Pearson were able to provide this for the home side, smashing balls to the boundary as Mullion chased the visitors total inside 21 overs without losing another wicket. Lee ended unbeaten on 47 and Pearson on 37.

Mt Ambrose 2s† 94ao in 39.2 ov (P Rossiter 30*; K Bosustow 5-8); Mullion 1s 95-1 in 20.2ov (T Lee 47*; J Pearson 37*). Mullion 1s won by 9 wkts.

Cockspur Rum man of the match: Bosustow 9.2-5-8-5

A gloriously sunny afternoon. The wind whistling in from the Atlantic. Ah, the joys of Botallack. Mullion 2s' WAGS were ready to hit the fashion designer outlets of St Just. All was set for Mullion to win the toss - and skipper Mark "Facilities" Johnson obliged, inviting the home side to bat first on a firm but green wicket.

Due to some other minor attraction later that afternoon (football should be confined to its season, not encroach into ours) both sides were a under strength. And following last week's hiccup at home to Mt Hawke Mullion was keen to get back to winning ways.

Ian "Buddha" Laity immediately found conditions to his liking with the new ball, starting with a maiden, beating the bat with five balls but failing to hit the edge. Phil Harding took responsibility for the other end and he too began well. The following two overs yielded four runs courtesy of unintentional snicks by the Botallack batsmen. Was it going to be another of those days? Not today - for cometh the hour, cometh the Buddha.

In his third over, and with the score on 11, Cutter found himself on the receiving end of yet another awkward delivery from the Buddha and a mistimed cover drive landed safely in the hands of Gary Tremayne. Five overs later, with the addition of eight, Waters had his stumps tastefully rearranged. 19 for 2 after 11 overs and the Buddha was on fire.

Buddha struck again trapping May with a faster delivery leg before. 26 for 3. Mindful of the need to perhaps keep something from one his main strike bowlers in reserve, skipper Johnson decided to rest Harding, replacing him with Gary Tremayne.

After missing out on his century in last week's debacle (1 for 95), Tremayne hoped to put those demons to rest, but he too found the conditions almost too helpful and conceded 12 in his first two overs. Whittaker did glove a catch to wicketkeeper Simon Meridew - who it has to be said wasted no time in announcing that was the first catch he had taken while wicketkeeping for Mullion. But what happened to the celebratory beers after the game eh Simon? It was also refreshing in this age of competitive league cricket to see that some batsmen will still "walk" if they know that they're out. Well done Mr Whittaker. 59 for 9.

Buddha finished his magnificent spell when Gary Tremayne took a fine low catch to dismiss Reynolds for 5 - his figures of 12 overs 6 maidens, 4 wickets for 14 runs tell their own story. Botallack 86 all out from 31 overs.

Any apprehension they may have felt soon disappeared as that man Buddha, ably accompanied by Ben Tremayne put on 63 runs for the first wicket off 12 overs. Sadly Buddha was the man to make the long trudge back to the pavilion having scored an effortless 48 before contriving to be bowled by the somewhat erratic Parsons.

A mini collapse ensued with both Jordan and Rae dismissed cheaply, followed by Ben Tremayne who was bowled through the gate. Daniel Johnson (10 no out) and Josh Matthias (1 not out) steered the visitors to a comfortable six wicket victory.

Botallack 2s 86ao in 31 ov (I Laity 4-14, G Tremayne 4-34); Mullion 2s† 87-4 in 20ov (I Laity 48). Mullion 2s win by 6 wkts.