HELSTON must have had high hopes of a place in this season's Vinter Cup Final when they met Perranarworthal in the semi-final at Falmouth on Monday evening, but in a surprise turnabout in form Perran held their nerve to reach a final even they would not have expected to.

Having been well beaten by Helston in the league just over a week previously, they went into the game as underdogs, but they showed a commendable fighting spirit to win through to their third Vinter Cup Final when won by 12 runs.

Having experienced such a torrid time in the league, this victory could be the signal of a much-needed change in their fortunes.

Phil Rees with 36, that included four fours, and Phil Bostock, who hit a six and two fours off 14 balls at the end saw Perran make 115-8.

Dominic Bostock bowled well to take 5-15 off five overs and Bradley Bury only conceded 17 runs from fiveovers.

Helston were rocked when they lost Chris Martin and Steve Pollard in the first two overs with only two on the board.

David Pascoe gave them hope with 51 in an innings that included two sixes and four fours off 56 balls, but his dismissal at 77-5 in the 16th over meant there was too much to do for the Helston lower order.

Gareth Mitchell took 3-28 that included the wicket of Lee Caddy, brilliantly held in the deep by Rees.

Ollie Shilston also had a game to remember, claiming four victims including three smart stumpings.

PERRANARWORTHAL

M Mitchell b D Bostock 15

S Martin b N Dunstan 5

P Rees b D Bostock 36

O Shilston run out 4

P Bostock c b D Bostock 20

P Blackburn b D Bostock 5

G Mitchell b D Bostock 1

S Blackburn not out 7

A Lawrence c M Thomas b D Pascoe 3

M Hands not out 0

A Moore did not bat

Extras 18

Total (8 wkts) 115

Fall: 15-56-76-79-103-104-104-107.

Bowling N Dunstan 5-0-34-1, B Bury 5-0-17-0, D Bostock 5-0-15-5, D Pascoe 5-0-39-1.

HELSTON

D Pascoe st O Shilston b G Mitchell 51

C Martin c O Shilston b A Moore 0

S Pollard lbw b S Blackburn 0

M Thomas c S Martin b P Bostock 8

D Bostock b G Mitchell 5

L Caddy c P Rees b G Mitchell 15

J Ludlam st O Shilston b A Lawrence 4

D Clift st O Shilston b A Lawrence 2

N Dunstan not out 2

B Bury not out 1

Extras 13

Total (8 wkts) 103

Fall: 1-2-17-64-77-86-92-95

Bowling: A Moore 5-1-8-1, S Blackburn 5-1-25-1, P Bostock 2-0-17-1, G Mitchell 5-0-28-3, A Lawrence 2-0-8-2, P Rees 1-0-5-0.

Umpires: J Edwards and R Jeffery.

Perranarworthal beat Helston by 12 runs.