Penzance back in front after the sun shines on cricket in the Duchy

T was a day of blue skies and hot sunshine across the county, with temperatures of 27 degrees or more the hottest day of the season to date.

- by MICHAEL WEELKS

In the Premier Division, Penzance reinstated a 14-point lead at the top after winning at bottom club Grampound Road by 114 runs.

Joint morning leaders Wadebridge suffered a six-wicket defeat at Helston. Only 13 points cover the bottom five clubs in the bid to avoid the one relegation spot.

A solid batting performance by Penzance saw them dismissed for 259 in the 47th over at Grampound Road. They were 62-3 early on but recovered with good knocks from Brad Wadlan (58), Josh Croom (50), Nic Halstead-Cleak (34) and Tommy Sturgess (31). The Road lost their first four wickets for 69 and were all out for 145 in 32 overs, with Harry Matthews top scoring with 31 not out. Wadlan and Charlie Sharland shared six wickets.

Helston moved up to second after a six-wicket home win over Wadebridge in a game that ebbed and flowed. The visitors lost regular wickets, reaching 62-6 and 93-8; however, they were rescued by a ninth-wicket stand between James Turpin (82) and Matt Lawrence (28). Ollie Black took 3-40. Requiring 171, Helston found themselves 18-3 before Karl Leathley (27) got them to 71-4.