Darts

WESTERN UP TO SECOND:

Western Inn (St Austell) moved back into second spot in Men's Premier West Division of the Cornwall Super League when they emerged 9-3 winners at Clipper Way Inn (Falmouth) with Matt Knowles (27.83) as their leading exponent, writes Steve Chapman. Title favourites Astro Club B (Penzance) won 7-5 at Swan Inn but not before the Truro side had Kevin Pascoe (29.74) earning himself the week's top average. Neil Meneer (27.71) was prominent for Godolphin Arms (Newquay) in their 7-5 defeat of White Hart (Camborne) for whom Paul Cook (27.33) also caught the eye. Hawkins Arms (Probus) and Redruth CC A were both 7-5 winners against Britannia Inn A (Truro) and Queens Arms (Constantine) respectively while The Croft (St Ives) defeated Helston AFC A 8-4. Terry Webber gave another sound performance for Queens, emerging with a three dart average of 86.70. Lucky Kiss B (Bude) hit the 200 point mark with a 9-3 victory over Top of the Town A (Newquay) as they edge closer to the title in Men's Premier East. They received good service once again from both Kevin De Rosa Ploughboy Inn (Saltash) have moved above Bar Mez (Torpoint) after defeating them 9-3 with Simon Stevenson (26.02) top scoring with 19 ton plusses which Clive Mildenhall (26.72) helped earn Bethel Social Club (St Austell) an 8-4 victory over Westgate Inn (Launceston) for whom Nigel Doney (27.11) caught the eye.

LADIES' PREMIER WEST:

There is no change at the top of Ladies' Premier West after the leading duo both won by the odd game of seven. Holmans Social Club B (Camborne), leaders by three points, had Sue Shepherd (22.43) in top form as they edged out Newquay Arms but the visitors still have Claire Irons (18.02) as joint individual leader with Shepherd after she produced another good performance. Jane Cummings (18.11) inspired second placed Clipper Way Inn A (Falmouth) to a win at Godolphin Club A (Newquay) while Albany RFC A (Redruth) secured all but one of the seven points against Britannia Inn B (Truro). Becky Curnow (18.87) and Anne Sullivan (18.28) led Holmans SC A (Camborne) to the narrowest of margins over Four Winds Inn (Falmouth) while Britannia Inn A (Truro) defeated Helston RBL 5-2. Champions elect Jubilee Inn (Torpoint) hit the 100 point mark when winning 5-2 at Mount Charles Social Club (St Austell), having Annie Lane leading the averages with 25.05. Sue Venables (19.23) was Lucky Kiss's (Bude) top performer, despite finishing up on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline at Camelford Cons, while Churchill Bars (Wadebridge) consolidated second spot with a 6-1 victory at Callington Social Club A. Anna Johnson (18.55) caught the eye for Callington Social Club B but ended up on the losing side when White Hart B (Menheniot) won 5-2.

Youth Football

CORNISH TRIO SHINE:

Three boys from Cornwall made the journey to London to take part in the Arsenal 3 v 3 tournament. Teams of four from across the UK came together to compete in two age groups (8-9 year-olds) and (10-11 year-olds). Bradley Latham (Bodmin), George Tucker (Truro), Robert Stouchbury (Newquay), all of whom train at the football developement centre in Newquay under the close eye of John Hodge, represented 'Simply Soccer', Cornwall 8-9yrs group (year 3-4 at school). The boys were placed in a tough group, but got off to a cracking start with a 8-2 win over Positive Futures, followed by an equally impressive winning performance against Simply Soccer 'A' (Somerset) 9-3. Their next match, however, was a lot tougher, but the boys kept the pressure up, defended well finishing with a nail biting draw which ended Arsenal Advance 'A' team's winning streak (7-7). With two wins and a draw, Bradley, George and Robert were through to the quarter-final. Up against Luton & Beds, using what energy they had left they gave it their all, but it wasn't enough and lost 5-3. Nevertheless, they are a credit to each other, their parents and Cornwall.

Results: Game 1 - Positive Futures v Simply Soccer (Cornwall) 2-8. Game 2 - Simply Soccer 'A' v Simply Soccer (Cornwall) 3-9. Game 3 - Simply Soccer (Cornwall) v Arsenal Advanced 'A' 7-7. Quarter-final - Simply Soccer (Cornwall) V Luton & Beds 3-5.

Croquet

FAITH, HOOP AND HILARITY:

The lawns at the Cornwall Croquet Club were crowded on Saturday for the annual Faith, Hoop and Hilarity event. Newer members were paired with established members to give the former a taste of competitive croquet in a relaxed atmosphere. Golf croquet was played in four sections of either three or four pairs, with each playing twice. Each game was played to the best of 19 hoops, or one hour, with the winners of each group playing semi-finals to determine the finalists. The semi-finalists were separated by only a single hoop in each of the two games: however, the eventual finalists were Marjorie Stewart & Russell Moore playing Gill Shaw & Des Honey. The match was closely fought but, at the bell, Marjorie and Russell were the winners. Throughout the day there were side games in which the pairs could practice their skills by either playing croquet balls onto a target, or rushing/peeling them through various hoops. At the end of the day, those with the stamina played a game of Porthpean Chase, which involved running as many hoops as possible in a given time, but with the possibility of stealing, or losing, accumulated points by hitting, or being hit by, other players' balls. Before presenting the prizes, club president Howard Rosevear thanked all those who had helped to organise the very successful and enjoyable event.

Winners: Golf Croquet – Marjorie Stewart & Russell Moore; Target Croquet – Kathleen Moorshead & Leslie Stewart; Promorush – Jean Wehurle & Stephen Read; Porthpean Chase – Peter Dexter; Quiz – Linda Lang.

Bowling

BODMIN DENIED LATE ON:

On paper, Bodmin A should have managed more than the single point they actually achieved against Wadebridge A and for much of the game it seemed that two points were certain. However, a late surge by the home team sealed Bodmin's fate, losing 58 shots to 68. The following night against Camelford A it was touch and go up to end 17. Bodmin then went up a gear and picked up a total of 21 shots over the next four ends to pull clear and snatch the full five points. Bodmin B struggled against Kensey A from the start and the situation worsened to leave them well adrift by the finish. Two days later it was a different story. By halfway through the NE division CBL B team play-off at Lostwithiel against their B team, they were in control, being 18 shots up. Over the next couple of ends Lostwithiel made a comeback but this was shortlived and Bodmin B pulled away again to win 4-1.

Rink scores: Bodmin A v Wadebridge A: M Bennett 23 R Jones 24; B Carter 13 D Swaby 27; N Coad 22 R Priestley 17. v Cameford A: M Bennett 26 P Buck 12; N Coad 20 B Gosling 19; P Bennett 24 S Hambly 18. Bodmin B v Kensey A: G Spittey 12 N Trewin 27; R Jones 21 R Lane 22; R Thompson 11 P Gilbert 24. Playoff v Lostwithiel B: M Spittey 30 P Williams 9; R Jones 20 M Morton 24; B Carter 21 D Griffin 19.

Bodmin ladies' Rippon match at Saltash saw them win by eight shots. Rink score: E Rowe 23 M Kitt 15.

Tennis

OVER 35s TO PLAY AT DEVONSHIRE PARK:

Cornwall men's over 35s team are travelling to Eastbourne this weekend to compete in the national inter-county championships on the prestigious grass courts at Devonshire Park. The team will be travelling up tomorrow for a practice day and will then face Durham and Cleveland, Suffolk and Cumbria during the weekend. The team representing Cornwall are Nigel Richards, playing captain (St Austell), Andrew Truscott and Robin Purcell (Falmouth), Jeremy Sharp (St Austell) and Billy Peters (St Ives). Richards said the team have been training hard for this event but are under no illusion that the quality of opposition is of a very high standard but he remains optimistic of success.

Women's Football

NEWQUAY'S HOME START:

Newquay Ladies are to begin their South West Combination League campaign at home to Reading Town (formerly Reading Royals) on August 16. The Peppermints go to newly promoted Havant & Waterlooville a week later and on August 30 clash with Plymouth Argyle at Mount Wise. ● Saltash United are playing Cullompton Rangers in a friendly on Sunday.

BUXTON TO VISIT BUDE:

Buxton Ladies from Derbyshire have arranged to play three friendlies, against Bude Town on August 11, Kilkhampton two days later, with a third to be confirmed on August 16.

KERNOW GIRLS GROWING:

The girls' section of the Kernow Youth League has grown to 19 teams for the new season. There will be eight teams in the U12s League and 11 in the U14s. The divisions will be as follows:

U12 Girls: Culdrose Ospreys, Falmouth United, Helston, Penzance, St Agnes, Trevenson, Truro Eagles, Truro Falcons.

U14 Girls: Charlestown, Culdrose Pumas, Helston, Liskeard, Newquay Celtic, Newquay Ladies, Penzance, St Agnes, St Breward, Trevenson, Truro.

GIRLS' FOOTBALL FUNDAYS:

Penzance LFC Junior Magpies' section are staging two Girls' Football Fundays for ages 9-15. They will take place at Penzance FC on Wednesday August 5 and Sunday August 16, both are free of charge and run from 10am to 1pm. The club now has opportunities for girls to play league football from age 10 upwards.

BMX Racing

CORNWALL BMX CLUB:

The overcast chilly weather on Friday didn't prevent a host of riders competing for victory in the BMX racing at Blackwater. This was a round of the Cornish Championships and much-needed points were at stake towards the Series total as well as victory on the day. First group off the gate were the six and unders with three riders having helpers running around to push them over the larger jumps. Ashley England took advantage of being unassisted to win all four races. In 10-year-olds it was a battle between Matthews, Berry and O'Brien, with close finishes all evening. Jenna and Bridget Kistle represented the ladies in the novice ladies class while in expert ladies, Michelle Rickett found herself pitched against some of the older boys but gave a good account of herself. In the older male age groups it was St Day's Dan Davis who was dominating with a clean sweep of victories while in the 17+ group Threemilestone's Martyn Green was battling it out with the Humphrey brothers, Matt and James, from Carnon Downs. The Cruiser 40+ also saw some superb battles with no quarter given and places being traded throughout the races to give Stuart Long and Ian Wherry two race wins each. The next round of the series is this Friday with the track open from 6pm and racing available to all riders, young and old, from 7.30pm. Details of the club and their activities can be found at www.cornwallbmx.co.uk

Mountain Biking

CORNISH RIDERS LEAD NATIONAL SERIES:

The Dirt Bike Supply 4X team is leading the Mountain Bike 4X national points series. After three rounds of the national series, Dirt Bike Supply has pulled into a strong lead ahead of established professional teams. In second place are the strongly favoured Four Mountain Zumbi team, which boasts West Country Olympic rider Liam Phillips. The Dirt Bike Supply 4X team is made up of Cornish riders who practice and train at Duchy Pirates and Cornwall BMX Club. The team has had at least three riders on the podium at every round this year. There is a strong mix of experience and new riders in the team with Ian Wherry and Pazz Holroyd in their second full season being joined by first time 4X riders, Sean and Dave Herman (Redruth), Ben Clarkson (St Austell) and George Curry, who all made the final in their first outing. Experienced riders Spicy Cumming (Penryn), Simon and Andrew Rickett (Truro) have all also made finals and gained important points this year. Duchy exile Gareth Parr is having a great season pushing for the knockout stages at every race. Team boss Simon Rickett said: "We have always tried to develop local talent taking riders of all ages from across Cornwall to experience mountain bike racing on the national stage. "These guys practice on BMX tracks which are flat, I can only imagine what they would achieve if we had a hill to train on." The Duchy's other 4X rider is UK Elite and World Cup campaigner Will Evans. Will is currently 26th in the world series and is lying in second in the UK National Points series. This year he has competed in South Africa , Belgium and Slovenia in pursuit of world series points. With a 154 point lead the team has four more rounds to go to claim the national series title and will also be competing in the British Cycling National Championships.

Petanque

CORNWALL EDGED OUT:

The annual Inter-County Petanque (Boules) match between Cornwall and Devon took place on Sunday, at Vogue, St Day, near Redruth. Despite the atrocious weather five teams from each county played out a tense and exciting contest with Devon eventually running out winners by 13 games to 12, retaining the trophy. The majority of the teams playing will be representing a joint Kernow/Devon team in the National Inter-Regional Championships later this year at Brean Sands in Somerset, when more than 500 Petanque players from all over the country will be competing. The sport in both counties is trying hard to expand. In Cornwall, where most of the game is played in the Redruth area, there is a big effort to start more clubs in the North Cornwall area. A group of people have now formed a club and constructed a piste – that's what a pitch is called – at the Rising Sun Inn at Altarnun. In an effort to promote the sport the club is holding an Open Day at Altarnun this Saturday, from 3pm, and invite one and all to go along, have a go and see what the game is all about. It is a sport for all ages.