Mullion top the table

After winning the toss many eyebrows were raised when Mullion 1s skipper Jim Pearson asked Falmouth to bat on a firm batting track that had seen no rain all week and with the assistance of a lightning outfield, runs were surely going to be easy to come by. However with a strong bowling attack the captain put faith in his bowlers to take early wickets and unsettle the visitors particularly as they were unable to raise a full side.

What Mullion couldn't have predicted was that an hour after play was called they would record their sixth victory of the season and cement their place at the top of the league regardless of the other results.

It was a combination of Matthew Cuff and Jeff Charleston who did the damage, ripping through Falmouth's top order leaving them four wickets down with just three runs on the board and in danger of an embarrassing score.

For Falmouth, David Knowles rallied late on notching up 25 runs to try and make the scorecard look respectable however with nobody else able contribute to the total, Falmouth were dismissed for just 35 in 10.5 overs - Cuff returning figures 4 for 10, Charleston 2 for 17 and Paul Warbis 1 for 5.

Mullion with 36 required for victory needed little time to knock off the runs, clinching victory in under four overs with Kevin Bosustow smashing 22 not out, aided by Trevor Lee as Mullion completed a resounding 10-wicket victory.

Cockspur Rum Man of the Match: Matthew Cuff

It was a pleasure for Mullion 2s to travel to the Roseland Peninsula via a ferry crossing across the River Fal (King Harry Ferry) to play Veryon 2s on such a warm and sunny day. With a reputation to score high totals, Veryan have always beaten Mullion on past meetings.

It did not bode too well when Mullion lost the toss and were put into the field. After the morale pep talk by skipper Mark Johnson, Mullion set about their business with a purpose as Veryan's openers were swiftly dealt with for 11 runs. Tight bowling from Ian (Buddha) Laity (2 for 24), Phil Harding (1 for 19), Dave Fowles (2 for 27) and Gary Tremayne (3 for 22) together with two fine run outs left the opposition reeling as they were all out for 91. Veryan's P Grose top scored with 46 not out and simply ran out of partners.

Mullion lost both openers with the score on only 13. Then Bruce Jordan put on a useful 32 leaving Dan Johnson, 24 not out and Joe Stutely 5 not out to finish off the innings as the seconds joined the firsts to go top of the table.

Reflecting the increased interest in cricket by today's youngsters, Mullion put out an Under-11 side in the Penwith Youth League. This is the first Under-11 side fielded by Mullion for over 20 years.

With all of the Mullion facilities including sightscreens, score box and club flag flying proudly, every effort was made to ensure that they were aware that they were representing the club. All were wearing the new Slazenger kit with one girl heard to say "Do I have to wear a shirt that is a boy's size"?

With many playing in their first ever match and that they were up against the much more experienced team from Rosudgeon, Mullion's boys and girls put on a very good game. With a complicated scoring system where both sides start with 200 runs and then lose six runs for every wicket, the game goes to a full 20 overs.

Rosudgeon batting first scored 125 runs in their 20 overs, lost three wickets. This score of 101 is then added to the 200 to give them a total of 301. Mullion's captain Jonathan Mailes took all three wickets and at one stage was on a hat-trick. In reply the Mullion team made a total of 85 runs. Unfortunately they lost 11 wickets with one poor lad being out four times (two of them ducks). So with there total coming to 219 runs, Mullion had lost by 82 runs.

At the end of the day, the scores were mere numbers, as everyone agreed that there must be far worst ways to spend a Sunday morning than be in the sunshine on such a nice ground, watching the future village cricketers playing a match that had no tears or tantrums, just smiles.