Cornwall victorious, but threat of relegation remains

CORNWALL won their latest British Inter County Championship fixture, but still remain dangerously close to the premier division's last relegation spot, with only four points separating them from ninth place Lincolnshire who they defeated 22-14.

The ladies’ B side laid the foundations with a confident 4-2 victory with wins from Becky Curnow (16.28), Courtney Hancock (19.03), Emma Dow (16.27) and Tyrian Jesse (14.88).

But the Men’s B team were equally impressive and played a big part in the Duchy’s overall success when they won their encounter 9-3.

Greg Hambly (26.75) started the rout when he emerged a 4-2 winner, aided by a checkout of 125, only for Dave Mills (26.02) to follow when he hit a brace of 180s in another 4-2 success.

Also winning by the same margin were Dave Copplestone (24.90) and Steve (Tex) Thomas (24.19) while Martin Smith (26.43) won 4-1 and the trio of Richard Slater (22.11), Josh Symons (22.67) and Richard Craddock were all victorious after being taken the full seven legs.

The visitors then began a mini revival by taking three on the bounce before Mike Beard (25.54) (pictured) triumphed 4-1 to leave Cornwall with an overnight 13-5 lead.

The Ladies’ A team added to the scoreline when they won 4-2 and had Tracey Hancock (19.52), Sarah Gill (19.52), Teresa Brookshaw (21.17) and Sue Shepherd (19.03) all winning in three straight legs.

Lincolnshire claimed the first point of the Men’s A fixture only for Rob Ruberry (28.78) to hit back with a 4-1 success.

The visitors took set three only for Jez Campe (25.65) to pull out a 4-2 win but Cornwall could only gain one point from the next three when Shaun Burden (25.05) obliged in four straight legs.

Neil Dudbridge (23.41) hit two maximum scores in a 4-2 victory before Simon Knowles (26.31) won 4-1 aided by checkouts of 114 and 113.

Lincolnshire disappointingly took the last three points which gave their Men’s A team a complimentary 7-5 victory, but the overall Cornish success was most welcome.

Cornwall will have to make a long trip to Wigan to face second placed Lancashire over the weekend of March 28/29 before they entertain Glamorgan in the final fixture of the campaign at the end of April which will define their status for the following campaign.