Cricket- County Division Five (East)

Newquay v Saltash

Saltash ended their three match losing streak with a three wicket win in a close finish at Newquay. The home team elected to bat first on a wicket with low bounce, but soon lost opener Ivamy who was bowled by Richard Durndell. Collard and Chafer made slow but steady progress, both players riding their luck with a number of edges that failed to go to hand before Durndell claimed the wicket of Chafer for 21.

Russell played some classy looking shots before being deceived by Paul Marshall, who was again bowling off-spin due to a shin injury. Padfield made a rapid 19 before falling to Marshall and Collard's luck finally ran out at the point when he was looking set for a big score when bowled by Braund for 39. Moore played well to boost Newquay to very respectable 185 for seven, although Saltash did not help their own cause by conceding way too many extras and failing to hold on to some difficult but catchable chances.

The Saltash reply got off to a poor start when an out-of-sorts Gale was bowled by Booth for a duck. Durndell and Ian Stevenson then put together a stand of 99, neither player looking in any trouble, before Stevenson was bowled by an inswinger from Newquay skipper Harry Swetman for 34.

Durndell followed soon after when he dragged on a delivery from leg-spinner Collard, but not before he reached 50 for the seventh time this season. Paul Marshall looked very dangerous before being well-caught in the deep for a hard-hitting 26 and Mike Martin and Ron Skinner then ensured that Saltash kept up with the run rate before Skinner was bowled behind his legs for 13 after hitting Collard for two boundaries earlier in the over.

Saltash skipper Ross Braund played his part before being beaten for pace by Russell's first ball of his second spell and when Martin was bowled by Swetman, Newquay appeared slight favourites. Gary Pickard and Nick Carpenter batted with fierce concentration and determination in the face of some good bowling, particularly from Russell, taking Saltash to the last over and requiring three to win. With the fielders brought in, Carpenter went for glory, lofting the ball just over the desperate out-stretched arms of Collard to seal victory.

Scores - Newquay 185-7 (C Chafer 21, J Collard, N Russell 21, R Padfield, J Moore 30 n.o., Extras 47; P Marshall 3-38, R Braund 2-71, R Durndell 2-23). Saltash 189-7 (R Durndell 50, I Stevenson 34, R Skinner 13, P Marshall 26, M Martin 13, N Carpenter 13, Extras 29; M Swetman 3-55, G Booth 1-20, J Collard 2-46, N Russell 1-33).

Saltash (18) bt Newquay (7) bt three wickets.