Slow start for Mullion

They may have all the new kit and extra exposure that comes with being The Wisden Cricketer's adopted club for 2005, but Mullion did not get off to the best of starts. They lost their warm up game against arch-rivals Porthleven on April 23 and last Saturday both 1st and 2nd XIs suffered defeats.

The 1st XI were away to Gulval 2s near Penzance. A dry but bitterly cold day, with the Gulval ground sited on the top of a hill the players took a battering from a healthy coastal breeze. Mullion lost the toss and found themselves batting. Regular opener Phil Wheatley was away at the World Gig Rowing Championships at the Scillies, it was up to Kevin Bosustow and new-comer Trevor Lee to build a solid platform.

Both played sensibly, Lee falling for 34 in the 18th over. Bosustow followed five overs later on 44. Skipper Jim Pearson at No. 3 scored freely before losing his stumps on 34.

Then the familiar middle-order collapse from last season returned. An entertaining 28 by Mark Griffiths at No. 9 in the closing overs helped, but Mullion ended on 186 for 8 after the allotted 48 overs. Pick of the Gulval bowling went to Shane Eddy with figures of 3 for 33.

The economic Jeff Charleston (12 overs, 6 maidens, 1 for 16) kept Gulval batsmen to only 58 at 24 overs. But then Gulval made the most of their small ground hitting boundaries and edging closer to their target. Despite Ian (Buddha) Laity and Robin Bates both picking up a couple of wickets, P Viney (49 not out) guided Gulval to a three wicket win on the 46th over.

Back at Mullion, and in much warmer conditions, the 2nd XI did not fare much better in their match against Newquay 4s. Despite winning the toss and deciding to bat, the wheels fell of - only two making double figures, as they were skittled out for a lowly 73. With such a low target to defend, the homeside made Newquay fight hard, taking eight wickets in what was a tense finish. Mullion Skipper Mark Johnson picked up four while the slow left arm of Simon Merridew claimed three.

Newquay then added insult to injury by taking the Mullion scorebook away with them, resulting in the 2nd XI having to borrow the Under-13s book for Monday's match. (Newquay have promised to return it by next weekend).

Mullion 1st XI 186-9 in 48 ov (K Bosustow 44; S Eddy 3-33); †Gulval 2nd XI 187-7 in 45.5 ov (P Viney 49*). Gulval won by 3 wkts