Launceston's hopes of promotion from Division Four East of the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League ended on Bank Holiday Monday with a 52-run defeat at Newquay Seconds.
The Lawhitton-based side needed eight points to secure an immediate return to the fourth tier. After choosing to field, they started well as Ryan Christophers (1-29 off 9) had Tom Rhodes caught behind by wicketkeeper Dan Tilley, while opening partner Matt Bloomfield (0-28 off 9) conceded just 15 runs in his first six overs.
Reuben Bartley struggled for his 22, and when David Cox (2-41 off 7) struck for a second time, the home side were in trouble. However, Aaron Hawken's excellent 85 not out helped Newquay reach a healthy 215-3 from their 45 overs. With Launceston picking up only one of a possible five bonus points in the field, they needed to win.
A victory would have set up a county final with Barripper at St Stephen on Saturday. But despite reaching a promising 93-1, helped by 40 from skipper Finlay Worth, they lost their final nine wickets for just 70.
Number three Liam Tilley made a steady 25, but with key man Kevin Worth making just two and the rest of the middle order struggling to score freely, a hugely encouraging season ended in heartbreak.
Up until halfway they had not lost, but five defeats in their final 10 completed games allowed Wadebridge Thirds to sneak the title. Liskeard's 14 points on Saturday at St Neot also proved key to taking second.
Wadebridge's insistence on travelling to their Werrington counterparts on Saturday also paid off. While Launceston's home clash with Newquay Seconds was called off following heavy overnight and morning rain, the Swans secured a five-wicket victory less than five miles away at Ladycross.
Werrington's clash with Wadebridge saw the home side start well before being dismissed for 165. Dan Howgill (46) and Tyler May (29) shared an opening stand of 72, helped by several extras, but once they were separated only Zander Zambuni with 22 made much impression. It was game on in the chase at 62-4, however Harry Tinker's 61 not out got the Swans over the line.
Launceston Seconds' clash at Bugle was rained off in Division Five, but relegated duo Holsworthy Seconds and their Luckett counterparts did get some play. The Devonians were dismissed for just 54 at Gunnislake despite starts from Danny Tape (18) and skipper Ryan Smith (17), while Oisin O'Kelly and Rhys Evans took a wicket apiece in the eight-wicket defeat.
Luckett were 102 all out at Newquay Thirds as tailenders Keira De Villiers (22) and Ben Williams (21) made twenties, before they went down by five wickets.
Just one game went ahead in the bottom two divisions, although the rain guaranteed South Petherwin Seconds' promotion from Division Six East as runners-up to their Saltash counterparts who beat St Minver Seconds by 97 runs. For St Minver, Sam (4-41) and Nigel Hocking (2-37) shared six wickets before they were 71 all out in reply.
Mid-table Tintagel Seconds' campaign ended with a 70-run reversal to St Neot twos. Sixties from Simon Harrison (61) and Chris Lovegrove (63no) saw them reach 205-9.
All five games in Division Seven failed to start due to the weather or concessions.
Launceston’s Promotion Hopes End After Newquay Seconds Defeat