It’s been a great start to the season for Falmouth as they completed the group stages of the Jolly’s Drinks Premier 50/50 Cup with a fourth successive win, at Trescobeas on Saturday.

The visitors, Paul, had the opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals themselves. With net run rate against them they effectively needed a full twenty points to deny St Just second spot.

In a game reduced to 46 overs they failed to take Falmouth’s final wicket however and went on to lose the game by 25 runs.

The semi-finals of the competition are provisionally scheduled for Sunday 16 June, subject to Cornwall’s progress in the MCCA Trophy as the quarter –finals are on the same day.

In their shoot out on Saturday Werrington beat Callington by 34 runs so will be at home to St Just.

Falmouth meanwhile will have home advantage with a tasty tie against Callington to look forward to.

The Falmouth innings got off to a good start before Richard Kellow fell to Tony Riggall for 17 with the score at 49.

Stefan Churcher again dominated at the other end. He made 66 to continue his excellent early season form.

In each game this season he has produced with a half century making previous scores of 54no, 89 and 71.

Matt Goldsbury (15), Antony Angove (10) and Justin Stephens (18) all got into double figures but the visiting attack stuck to their task well.

There was a clatter of wickets in the closing overs as the last five fell for the addition of only ten runs.

Keiran Butler took four for 33 and Kelvin Snell three for 26. 

Craig Osborne removed both openers at a cost of 43 runs. Paul’s hopes of a good start were ended when Angove bowled Osborne and Andrew Snell with only 13 on the board.

Martin Oats was quickly run out by Churcher and Tony Riggall fell in similar fashion as Guy Leathley effected another run out. When George Popperwell chipped in to remove Butler for six it became a depressing 23 for five for the visitors. 

It was left to Kelvin Snell to dominate the innings making 86 of the 135 added while he was at the crease.

He hit three sixes and four fours. The innings ended in the penultimate over.

Young off spinner Guy Leathley has had a tremendous start with his new club. He took four for 30 from his eight overs.

In the four group games he has taken twelve wickets at less than ten apiece. Angove took two for 34 with Popperwell and Jon Udy picking up a wicket apiece.

Attention now turns to the start of the ECB Cornwall Premier League on Saturday.
First up is a tough visit to Callington, who finished third last year.

Their county top three, Matt Robins, Jake Libby and Dan Davis have already been in impressive form this season.

FALMOUTH

R Kellow  c Riggall b Osborne 17
S Churcher  c Oats b Osborne 66
M Goldsbury  c Goldsworthy b Snell 15
A Angove  lbw b Snell 10
J Stephens  c Oats b Butler 18
J Preston  c Riggall b Snell 5
G Popperwell  lbw Butler 6
J Udy  b Butler 1
A Noott  b Butler 1
G Leathley  not out 3
H Roberts  not out 3
Extras 30
Total (9 wkts, 46 overs) 175
Fall: 1-49; 2-105; 3-130; 4-131; 5-159; 6-160; 7-167; 8-168; 9-169.
Bowling: K Butler 9-0-33-4, C Osborne 10-1-43-2, R Williams 3-0-22-0, C Donnelly 7-1-28-0, T Riggall 9-3-16-0, K Snell 8-0-26-3.

PAUL

A Snell  b Angove 8
C Osborne  b Angove 1
M Oats  run out (Churcher) 1
T Riggall  run out (Leathley) 3
K Snell  c Roberts b Leathley 86
K Butler  c Udy b Popperwell 6
C Goldsworthy  c Roberts b Leathley 7
B Brooks  lbw Udy 10
R Williams  c & b Leathley 3
R Brownfield  c Preston b Leathley 7
C Donnelly  not out 0
Extras 18
Total (44.2 overs) 150
Fall: 1-10; 2-13; 3-15; 4-18; 5-23; 6-42; 7-71; 8-83; 9-150.
Bowling: J Stephens 8-1-24-0, A Angove 10-2-34-2, G Popperwell 9-3-18-1, G Leathley 8.2-0-30-4, J Udy 9-0-40-1.
Result: Falmouth (19pts) beat Paul (7pts) by 25 runs in a game reduced to 46 overs.