Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League Division Three and Four East round-up – Saturday, August 8

SOUTH Petherwin missed a huge chance to take a giant step back to Division Two as they lost a high-scoring thriller at St Austell Thirds on Saturday.

On the small second team pitch at Wheal Eliza, the visitors’ bowlers – with the exception of Adam Creasey (0-26) and Jacob Masters (0-30) – struggled as the hosts knocked up 261-3.

Petherwin, who included recent signing Ian Searle, were close to full-strength, but conspired to lose wickets throughout.

Opener Taylor Gerry made 52 and number four Andrew Brenton an unbeaten 63, however they were dismissed with four overs remaining.

However, they do have a 13-point gap ahead of third and are 16 clear of St Minver who kept up their fine form at Duloe.

The hosts made 219-8 as while Ross Keast took 3-48, it was spinners Matt Hartnett (1-22) and Rob Hawken (1-18) that proved tough to score off.

St Minver were cruising at 114-0 with Ben Hawken (59) and Jake Keast (42) set, but after losing six wickets for just 34, it was man-of-the-match Keast (42no off 39) and Andy Rathborne (17no) who held their nerve.

Launceston secured a five-wicket victory at Gorran in Division Four.

Matt Bloomfield’s superb 6-43 restricted the hosts to just 147 all out after opening bowlers Ryan Christophers (2-23) and Ryan Vanstone (2-39) shared four.

Launceston then slipped to 56-5, however James Dawe (42no) and Tyler Westlake (39no) ensured they moved up to second with a game in-hand on leaders Wadebridge Thirds.

Dan Howgill was the star of the show for Werrington Thirds in their six-wicket success at Newquay Seconds.

He made 101 not out (95 balls) in their chase of 242 and shared important stands with opener Tyler May (56) and Lee Houghton (39). Earlier, Sam Uglow took 2-27 from his nine.