TINTAGEL recorded a rare victory at Holsworthy on Saturday to close in on the top two.

The Knights headed to Stanhope Park without four regular starters – including skipper Matt Jolliffe, and were sent in on a tough pitch.

Aussie Leo Agacy edged Bilal Darbar behind second ball and with key man Ryan Pooley making just 12, were reliant on a dogged 43 from Jordan Burnard (130 balls, three fours, one six) to help them reach 132-8 from their 45 overs. Jonny Centini (29) and Jack Minehan (13) made some useful late contributions as Darbar (2-23), Graham Wild (2-23) and Jack Greening (2-15) shared six.

Holsworthy skipper Ryan Walter changed the order around, but it failed to pay off as they were shot out for 124.

Off-spinner Pooley (3-19) and Minehan (3-28) bowled unchanged to reduce the Trees to 46-6, but with Walter going well alongside the hard-hitting Darbar, who made 46 from 40 balls, they had a chance.

Walter (23) went with 79 on the board to Gyles Reynolds (3-31) who struck twice more in quick succession, but Darbar then went into overdrive. However, the returning Agacy had Darbar caught by Reynolds at short third-man to end a thriller.

Bude and Werrington Seconds face a must-win clash with each other on Saturdy at Crooklets, but were both beaten.

The Seasiders headed to promoted Menheniot-Looe looking for a first victory of the season, and despite being in trouble at 69-3, regrouped superbly through Matt Williams’ excellent 60 and Gordon Wint.

However, Wint’s dismissal for 25 sparked a remarkable collapse which saw talented paceman Alex Caddy claim 5-17 from just six overs as the final seven wickets went for just 23.

Matthew Mansbridge struck with the first ball of the chase, but although Williams (0-24 off 9) was tight from one end, Aussie Lachie Embleton raced along to 42 before he offered a caught and bowled to Richard Dymond who was superb for his 3-23.

Peter Nance made a painstaking 14 from 86 balls, but even though he departed and Derek Piper (2-22) took a couple late on, skipper Steve Kidd survived a couple of chances to make 44 not out as he and Maiden (8no) got the hosts over the line.

Werrington are three points ahead after losing a thriller at home to Callington Seconds.

Despite five of the top seven making double figures, the hosts were in a spot of bother at 110-6.

But Ben Jenkin made a welcome return to form with 52, and with cousin Dan Jenkin also accelerating in the latter overs to make 45 not out, they gave themselves a chance on 216-8.

Callington were far from full-strength but battled superbly to earn victory.

Toby Ward (3-43) got the big wicket of James Brenton, and followed that up by taking out Richard Brown (31) and Peter Tancock in three balls in a running total of 86-3.

Dan Jenkin’s (3-30) seam and the leg-spin of Marley May (3-39) then reduced Cally to 166-8 despite 42 from opener Liam Hunn, however Jim Shorten (28) found support from Chris Bennett (11no).

Shorten went with eight required, however Harvey Poad (5no) joined Bennett to scramble over the line.

Elsewhere in the division, St Blazey ended Wadebridge Seconds’ unbeaten start, while St Austell Seconds eased past Lanhydrock.