St Just are again casting their giant shadow over the Cornwall Premier League after taking full advantage of the vagaries of the weather and the rules of the game.

The six-times champions are now well-positioned ahead of next week's trip to lowly Penzance, having closed to within 19 points of leaders Paul, whose rain-delayed home match with St Austell was abandoned shortly before 5pm.

Paul are faced with the prospect of probably needing 20 points from next week's tricky clash with on-form Falmouth if they are to retain the lead as the league heads into August.

St Just were right on top of their game at Newquay Sports Centre, reaching 234 for six before Gareth May opted to declare after 50 overs and then wrong-footed his opponents by sabotaging the home reply early in proceedings. Opting not to take the new ball, May called on Mark George to open the bowling and the off-spinner obliged to great effect following his Vinter Cup final exploits earlier in the week.

The experienced all-rounder struck quickly to get rid of Corey Harris and Josh Busby and with Joe Crane falling to seamer Rob Clackworthy, three wickets fell in five balls.

It caught next man Martin Hocking on the hop and he had to hastily make it to the crease trying to equip himself. It all took four minutes and on appeal Hocking was timed out and suddenly Newquay were 21 for four.

George went on to take two for 17 from 12 overs and the innings ended in 38 overs with Gary Thomas taking four for 39 and Clackworthy three for 36. Chris Willett top scored down the order with 20.

Earlier, Thomas and Rob Clackworthy had added 106 for St Just's third wicket after the cheap dismissals of Neil Curnow and David Roberts. Thomas was dismissed by Martin Pearce for exactly 50 and Rob Cook top scored with 77.

Before the game started, St Just were 32 points off the pace but the arrears were reduced significantly as Paul had only seven points to show for their efforts on a frustrating day at Hutchens Park, where persistent drizzle delayed the start until 3.35pm with the game reduced to 66 overs but doomed to last less than two hours by which time St Austell had reached 100 for two with Stefan Churcher making 64 not out. Home skipper Justin Stephens took the two wickets at a cost of 23 runs.

Callington bagged a much-needed seven-wicket success at Grampound Road to re-establish their title credentials while at the same time bringing to a halt their opponents' long unbeaten run.

Matt Robins and Rob Harrison took three wickets apiece as the Road were dismissed for 124 with only two partnerships of note featuring Adam Cocking (27) and Chris Hunkin (27) who put in a third-wicket stand and Matt South (25) and Chris Roberts putting on 40 for the fifth. But the last six wickets fell for 16 runs.

Callington coasted home thanks to Dan Davis who hit 84 not out. Jake Libby made 25 in a match-winning second wicket stand of 90. In misty conditions Callington won by seven wickets with 28 overs to spare.

Werrington's up and down season continued with a seven- wicket home defeat to Falmouth. Werrington made 169 all out with Alex Smeeth making 36 and Sam Hockin 33, but they lost their first five wickets for 75. Jon Udy and visiting skipper Duncan Ayres bagging three wickets each.

Udy carried his bat for 70 for the visitors. He and Ayres (34 not out) put on an unbroken 58 after Harry Roberts had made 31.

Truro raced to victory in quick time at Penzance in a game played throughout in drizzle. The home team had no answer to Karl Van Rooyen, who took five for 25 from 12 overs.

At one stage Penzance were 43 for seven before number ten Mark Slade top scored with 15. Ross Chadwick and Andrew Fairman took two wickets each. Truro lost Chris Martin and Tim Marrion cheaply before Tom Sharp (32no) and Alex Tunnadine (35no) saw them home.

In County One meanwhile the title race is really hotting up after leaders Redruth suffered an abandonment at Roche and Troon beat Falmouth II to now trail by only two points. Elsewhere Camborne beat Wadebridge by nine wickets; Luckett beat Menheniot Looe by 119 runs while the games at Beacon and Hayle were abandoned.