It was an early start for Menheniot's last league game of the season, the end of the summer dictating an earlier beginning. Menheniot travelled to the seaside village of Gorran needing a handful of points to secure their division six status. The early start caught out Bill McLoughlin who unfortunately did not play in his team's last and triumphant game of the season. I speak for all the players when I thank the captain, Bill for all his efforts in what is a thankless and very taxing job.

Meanwhile, the captain's tossed and Gorran having won batted first on what looked like a belter of a pitch. The Gorran openers got off to a flying start and reached 50 from 9 overs. M Harrison and P Goldsmith managed to curb the ever burgeoning Gorran total and by the 24th over Gorran had reached 113 for 0. The breakthrough was then made by P. Goldsmith, the steady Evans was bowled for 34.

Hardy departed quickly for seven when he was well caught by Strand off K. Goldsmith. The next six overs proved the turning point of the match. In a comical incident involving two direct hits and two great bits of fielding A.Noott was run out brilliantly by J. Massey for a fluent 81. Eventually the Gorran batsmen reached 239 for 4 off their 48 overs.

Unfortunately with Menheniot requiring nearly five an over a quick wicket fell when J. Strand was caught playing a loose shot. J Harrison and D. Wiltshire then put on 51 against relatively tight bowling before Harrison was bowled playing back. This brought the effervescent Taylor to the crease, and his fine form with the bat continued. His 35 included a great flat six, before being bowled by Hardy. P. Goldsmith then played the most entertaining innings of the match which included six fours. He was then bowled by Hardy. His wicket was then followed by the opener Wiltshire who again batted very sensibly for 55 which was the rock on which the Menheniot reply was built.

A good innings by the formerly out of form Keeble meant that Menheniot needed 19 from 30 deliveries. J. Massey and M. Harrison managed to knock these runs off with two balls to spare and a great game of cricket came to an end. Both teams performed well in all three disciplines and the spirit of the occasion meant that it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The Menheniot players were pleased to stay up by right and not because of bureaucracy, as last year it was red tape that eventually sent them down. As Richie Benaud said, 'There is more politics in cricket than there is in politics itself."

Scores - Menheniot 241 for 8 (D.Wiltshire 55, S.Taylor 35, J.Massey 29 n.o., D Hardy 6-70, T.Blamey 2-60). Gorran 239-4 (A Noott 81, O Evans 34; P Goldsmith 1-44, K Goldsmith 2-86).

Menheniot (17 pts) bt Gorran (9) by two wkts.