Rain wrecks promotion charge

Mullion 1s made the short trip to bitter rivals Helston, a mouth-watering tie on paper particularly with both sides still having high hopes of promotion.

As forecasted, the weather across Cornwall managed to spoil almost all of Saturday's fixtures, with only 18 overs possible before the captain's admitted defeat and called the game off with Helston well set on 91 for 2.

Helston's total was largely thanks to former Truro opener Chris Martin who made a brisk 58 not out and although he had a very close lbw decision go in his favour off Tony Matthews. Martin had notched a career best 200 not out the week before. Mullion's two wickets were down to another tight spell of bowling from leading wicket taker Jeff Charlston who conceded 21 runs off his 7 over spell.

In this derby it was just not meant to be, as both side left the field for the third and final time and although - both sides felt the disappointment. Mullion remain ahead of Helston by some distance, a source of much comfort. With other rivals Chacewater 1s continuing to win, the top of the table is impossible tight. For Helston, though, time is running out.

Mullion 1s match abandoned against Helston 1s who were 91 for 2 in 18 ov (C Martin 58*, S Pethick 24, J Charleston 2-21)

The weather was always going to play an important role in Mullion 2s clash against Chacewater. The forecast was for rain starting at noon and for it to be all over by 2 pm. When the rain started at 10 in the morning it was expected to end early.

The polythene covers were pegged down and all looked well for a 2pm start. At 1.30 with no rain, the covers were removed. With Mark "Facilities" Johnson away on his annual holiday to France for the next three matches, it was vice captain Ian "Buddha" Laity who stepped out onto the field for the all important toss.

Buddha won something that Mark has always had problems with. It then rained. At 2.30 the match commenced. Then it rained again. After a further 45 minutes it was decided that it was now dry enough to remove the covers and get on with the match.

Now removing wet plastic sheets is a very messy business and the eleven Mullion players did not take to the field wearing pristine whites. In the excitement, wicketkeeper Joe Stutly forgot his box

A further 15 overs later, Chacewater had made 40 for 2, when the heavens called time. The lessons learned: don't trust the weather forecast; use the vice captain to toss the coin; don't wear cricket whites to remove wet and muddy covers; don't forget to wear a box when wicketkeeping.

Mullion 2s match abandoned against Chacewater 2s who were 40 for 2 in 16 ov (R Lister 17)