Boconnoc keep survival hopes alive as Ashes lose

SALTASH need 14 points for the title from the final two games despite being well beaten by 98 runs at St Minver on Saturday.

The home side racked up a hefty 300-6 as only Dave Bolland (0-39) and Matt Petherbridge (3-47) kept the runs down.

The Ashes lost wickets throughout including dangerman Sam Renfree for 20, and slipped to 124-8 before they dug in superbly to reach 202 all out courtesy of Bolland (31) and Ben Hutson (35).

At the other end, Boconnoc won a thriller at fellow strugglers Roche Seconds to move within 16 points of safety.

In a must-win contest, the visitors kept the home side to 244-9, Colum Taylor leading the way with 4-43.

Mike Blake made a patient 68 at the top of the order, and after John Niblett (23) and Adam Easterbrook (36) lended support, Gary Spencer’s unbeaten 22 got them home by two wickets with three balls to spare.

Duloe did Boconnoc a huge favour by thrashing Grampound Road by eight wickets.

A superb spell of fast bowling from Will Turpin (5-22 off 9) had the hosts 6-5 until they fought back to reach 116 all out.

However, Aaron Conway’s unbeaten 67 ensured victory in the 20th over with help from Thomas Turpin (20) and debutant Neil Spencer (20no).

In Division Four East, Liskeard are within a point of second-placed Wadebridge Thirds following their victory over the Swans’ third-string on Saturday.

Brijesh Desai’s 70 plus useful contributions from Andrew Ware (29), Ben Powell (36) and Harrington Woodhead (32no) saw the hosts knock up 244-6.

Wadebridge were dismissed but did muster maximum batting points thanks to Rob Centini’s unbeaten 95 as Ware (3-32), Cobb (2-34) and Tom Harris (2-51) shared seven.

Promotion-chasing St Neot ran into the Robin Kendall show at home to visiting Gorran who moved to within three points of safety.

A star of Gorran’s glory days in County Division One, he made 169 not out to take his side to a massive 364-3, a score the hosts got nowhere near despite 82 from Liam Jones in their 213 all out.

Elsewhere in the division, relegated Tideford lost by five wickets at leaders Launceston having made 164 all out, while Callington Thirds were beaten by one wicket at their Werrington counterparts trying to defend 162 despite Harvey Poad’s 23 and 4-36.

In Division Five, Lanhydrock remain in title contention despite falling eight behind leaders Buckland Monachorum.

The Bodmin outfit chased down Bugle’s 177-6 for just two wickets thanks to skipper Mark Trudgeon’s unbeaten 64, while Buckland eased past visiting Menheniot-Looe by nine wickets who could only muster 125 all out in Devon, 41 of which came from Justin Kidd.

Gunnislake’s batting problems continued at home to Newquay Thirds who left with a three-wicket success.

Only Paul Hollow (43) and Kevin Beare (30no) made much headway in their 157 all out before Graham Murray (3-46) took three in the chase.

Pencarrow thrashed relegated Luckett Seconds by 139 runs.

Tristan Jago’s 65 helped the hosts reach an imposing 237-8 despite 3-37 from veteran Steve Brown, and the home attack then proved too strong for the visitors who saw opener Tom Rickard carry his bat for 39 not out. Change bowlers Eddie Thomson (3-26) and Simon Clay (3-27) shared six wickets.