Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League — Saturday, May 22

Division Two East

Tintagel (179-8)

Wadebridge 2 (178-8, 40 overs)

SOUTH African Jonathan Labuschagne made the difference as Tintagel surprised previous leaders Wadebridge seconds to win by two wickets at Butts Field.

In a 40-over game, Wadebridge made 178-8 thanks to Sam Richards’ 58, before Ryan Pooley (31), Labuschagne and the tail dragged Tintagel over the line.

A wet outfield delayed the start by half an hour to 1.30pm, meaning five overs were lost. But upon winning the toss, home skipper Ryan Pooley bowled first, hoping it would dry out as the day went on.

Jordan Blanchard continued his fine start since joining from Delabole, bowling opener Jamie Beare for a single.

Tintagel’s fielding was poor throughout, dropping five chances, but they continued to battle away.

The score reached 109-1 before Richards caught behind off the expensive Simon Fry for 58.

Opener Tom Wood continued on his merry way but when he departed for 42, bowled by left-arm spinner Matt Pethick, the wheels came off.

Pethick (2-40) bowled Matt Taylor next ball before the returning Blanchard (3-53) soon had the aggressive Charlie Mclachlan caught on the boundary for 22 off just 17 balls.

Pooley (1-30) bowled opposite number Rob Centini for just five, and at 145-6, Tintagel were on top.

But double figure scores from Will Durrant (12) and Stuart Parkyn helped them end on 178-8, and leave Tintagel with a tricky chase.

That looked a long way away when Parkyn dismissed Andy Boxall fourth ball, caught at slip, before in his next over, Blanchard was lbw for two.

The innings was then rescued by Pooley and Labuschagne. Pooley curbed his natural instincts to make 31 off 63 balls before he was caught at long-on by Taylor off Wood.

Still needing another 89, Wadebridge knew that if they could get Labuschagne the game was in their grasp.

But the South African struck the bowling to all parts in his 79 that included 12 fours and a six.

He was eventually caught on the cover boundary at 131-5.

Matt Richie and Josh Insley (11) then put on 26 before Parkyn (3-37) struck for the third time.

Beare then bowled Richie (19) and Tom Harris (1), meaning they needed seven with two wickets in-hand.

However Beare bowled a five-wider before Pethick (8no) smashed Ollie Bate for four to seal a thrilling victory.

Pooley was full of praise for his side’s attitude.

He said: “Everyone did their bit and pulled off a great win in the end! It could have been even better for us had we not dropped five catches which could’ve restricted them to 130-140 instead of 180.

“But what they got was probably around par with the pitch drying out and getting better as the day went on.

“Jordan was exceptional again at the beginning with the new ball and at the end claiming another three wickets, myself and Matthew Pethick really tied things down in the middle, then the wickets came towards the back end. After losing two early wickets I was delighted with how we dug in and kept fighting until the end to get a great victory.”