Firsts unstoppable, seconds stoppped

Mullion 1s hosted St Just 3s at Fortress Garro Lane knowing only victory would do as the chase for promotion to hots up. Skipper Jim Pearson lost the toss on a batting friendly pitch and was asked to lead his side into the field in the Mediterranean conditions, much to the annoyance of several Mullion players who had little time to nurse Friday night's hangovers. With Mullion also welcoming back former Cornwall bowler Tony `Strongbow' Matthews, the hosts were confident of applying the pressure and picking up some early wickets.

Things started well for Mullion as Matthews uprooted the off stump of opener Adam Allan for just three and when Paul `Weasel' Warbis had Meagor lbw for 18 Mullion had St Just struggling at 24 for 2. The visitors put up a spirited fight back led by youngster Stuart Nicholls who patiently made his way past his first ever 50, and was well supported by Terry Addicoat 33 as St Just raced to 154 for 3 with 15 overs left. Jeffery `economy' Charleston made the much needed breakthrough to remove Addicoat and Thomas in quick succession and when Mullion spinner Johnny Gibbons found his rhythm St Just collapsed to 169 all out. Nicholls batting at No. 3 was left stranded on 78.

Trevor Lee and Paul Warbis (who had to leave early to return to work at the local hotel) opened up. But the guests had to wait for their tea as the openers added 109 for the first wicket before Lee was bowled around his legs for an exciting 55. Warbis holed out to square leg for 42 and when the skipper became Stuart Brazier's third victim, Mullion sensed the game was far from over with 51 still needed.

Phil Wheatley and Keith Warbis after seeing off a sticky spell edged the hosts closer until Warbis found deep mid wicket for 17 with an ugly heave. But Wheatley smashed his seventh boundary to remain unbeaten on 32. Mullion won by six wickets.

Next week, Mullion make the trip to local rivals Helston in what is always a tense and passionate game. With both sides sure to include several previous premier league players, Clodgey Lane just might be the place to be as both sides look for victory to boost their promotion credentials.

St Just 3s† 169 in 43.4ov (S Nicholls 78*; T Matthews 3-26, J Gibbons 3-38); Mullion 1s 172-4 in 36.2 ov (T Lee 55, P Warbis 42; S Brazier 4-56). Mullion 1s won by six wickets.

The town had a strangely deserted air for the first Saturday of the school holidays. Windows, shuttered against some unseen assailant, creaked in the stiff breeze whistling in from the Atlantic. Tumbledown rolled unchecked down Cape Cornwall Street, while in the distance, a noise "heads", as a coin landed tails up. Yes, the Mullion 2s Mob were back in town - and he'd lost the toss again.

Knowing that there is no such thing as any easy game against St Just, the Mullion openers Joe Stuteley (playing his first game since dislocating his shoulder) and Mark Jennings strode out confidently to face the home side, bowling under a clear blue sky with a stiff breeze. With the first ball Carey found both bounce and lift and Stuteley was relieved to see second slip fail to hold on to a sharp chance. Lesson learnt - hopefully. But Jennings was caught at gully, 8 for 1 after two and a half overs.

Some patient and sensible batting saw Stuteley and Bruce Jordan retake the initiative with a stand of 61 for the second wicket, before Hughes (having replaced Carey) found a little extra bounce which took the top edge of the bat and Batten took a fine catch at backward point to dismiss Jordan for 23.

Daniel Johnson entered the fray - and left it 11 balls later having scored a single - only to be replaced by Ian "Buddha" Laity. Several lusty blows later, a further 50 runs had been added before Joe Stuteley, having scored his maiden half century for Mullion was caught in two minds and at cover. 128 for 4.

Buddha in the meantime had been indulging in providing catching practice but was dismayed to see the same fielder actually take the next catch on the deep square leg boundary.

132 for 5 quickly became 135 of 6 as Simon Meridew made a hash of an on-drive. With the middle order now in danger of collapsing like a WAG tottering on her stilettos, time for the captain to play an innings beffiting the rank. With an early tea looming, skipper Johnson duly obliged, and being the sort of chap to not let a long innings get in the way of the prospect of a cream tea, chipped his first ball for four, and his third ball straight into the hands of square leg. 140 for 7.

Gary Tremayne and Phil Harding saw the visitors through to the tea interval without further loss - and skipper Johnson was relieved to see the aforementioned cream tea put in an appearance.

After the interval Tremayne and Harding set about the bowling with gusto - I don't know what was in the tea. 65 runs quickly added (including two huge sixes courtesy of Harding), and the 200 run mark passed before Tremayne was finally caught at point for 22 off the bowling of Sennens. 205 for 8.

It was then left to Ben Tremayne to provide the support for Harding to score his maiden half century for Mullion before the overs ran out, Mullion finishing on a very respectable 224 for 8.

The result of the game was not a foregone conclusion as St Just possess Jim McKenner, one of the best batsmen in the division. Although Mullion made early breakthroughs when Buddha bowled Batten for a duck, and Harding repeated the trick on Carey to reduce the home side to 29 for 2, McKenner, dropped on his first attacking shot was starting to look in ominously good form and striking the ball hard and cleanly. Shortly before reaching his 50 he was dropped again, this time in the gully and Mullion began to wonder if the wheels were about to come off the wagon again.

However the visitors stuck to their task and with the score on 75 Simon Merridew enticed McKenner down the pitch with a beautifully flighted delivery (his description!) and Stuteley dutifully completed the stumping. Game over thought Mullion. Wrong!

The weather deteriorated, so did the visitor's fielding, with uncharacteristic mistakes creeping in. Even the normally reliable catching began to take on a life of its own - which didn't include keeping the ball in the hand. In the end skipper Johnson was forced to read the riot act.

Conditions were becoming more treacherous by the minute as the drizzle and mist rolled in off the Atlantic, and although Gary Tremayne bowled a fine spell (being rewarded with the wickets of Sennens and Sam McKenner) things finally came to a head as the mist turned to fog, the scorers vanished, unable to see the wicket. The bat travelling further as it slipped from batsman Hughes's hands than the ball had done when the two had made contact, the correct decision was made to call a halt to the proceedings with St Just on 132 for 5 with 13 overs remaining.

As the players groped their way back to the pavilion, somewhere in the distance a ball of tumbleweed rolled along a deserted street ... they came, they saw, but the weather conquered.

Mullion 2s† 224-9 in 48 ov (J Stuteley 64, P Harding 55; J Semmens 4-57); St Just 4s 132-4 in 35ov (J Mckenner 59). Match abandoned as a draw.