Falmouth have opened up a 15 point lead at the top of the Jollys Drinks ECB Cornwall Premier League after an emphatic eight-wicket win over strongly fancied St Buryan at Trescobeas on Saturday.

In what promised to be a close encounter the winning margin, and the fact that there were over 22 overs to spare, would have surprised many of the healthy crowd present to witness the match of the day.

St Buryan decided to bat on a warm, breezy afternoon but soon found themselves in trouble. Sean Turner bowling from the pavilion end got something out of the pitch. He had Tim Edwards put down at slip, but it didn't prove costly as Edwards obliged again and David Roberts held the chance at second slip after Sean Hooper had parried.

In Turner's next over Bobby Dawson fell in similar fashion and when Gavin Edwards steered Turner to Steve Williams in the gully the visitors had problems at 24-3 in the 12th over.

Wayne Vincent was batting well at the other end and in Kiwi Shane Mellor found a good partner, the pair adding 46 over 22 overs as the Falmouth bowlers kept a tight reign on proceedings. The breakthrough came when Vincent was well caught by Larry Martin at mid-off off the bowling of Roberts for 35. Mellor soon followed when Duncan Ayres held an excellent catch at square leg off Dave Toselend, having scored 33.

Marc Sweeney, who has joined the "Saints" from Camborne this season, made 11 before Turner snapped up a smart chance at slip off Roberts. In his next over Roberts had Damian Ward brilliantly caught by a diving Martin at mid off and at 98-7 in the 44th over the visitors were in big trouble.

The George brothers staged a typically belligerent riposte. Nick led the way hitting two sixes and three fours to make 40 not out and Mark fell in the last over, aiming a heave over mid-wicket in an attempt to gain a third batting bonus point.

Turner took 3-30 off 14 overs and Roberts 3-31 off 12 overs. Importantly, Falmouth held on to most of their catches.

The Falmouth innings got off to a busy start with Roberts playing some excellent shots. With the score at 36 in the seventh over Martin edged Mellor to Gavin Edwards behind the stumps, having scored eight.

Roberts classically drove Nick George through extra cover for four, but a couple of balls later George got his man. Attempting a pull shot over square leg Roberts skied, and Mellor took a good running catch to make it 52-2.

Hopes of a fight back soon receded as Steve Williams and Adrian Noott built a match winning partnership. Williams, steady as ever, hit four fours in his 36 not out. Noott, who is coming to grips with premier league cricket, grew in confidence and hit seven fours in his 54 not out.

The end came shortly after 6pm to further open up the championship race this year with the much fancied St Buryan side now having dropped 46 points out of the last 60 available.

On Saturday Falmouth travel to in-form Newquay for what should be a fascinating encounter.

ST BURYAN

W Vincent c L Martin b D

Roberts 35

T Edwards c D Roberts b S

Turner 2

R Dawson c S Hooper b S

Turner 1

G Edwards c S Williams b

S Turner 1

S Mellor c D Ayers b D

Toselend 33

M Sweeney c S Turner b D

Roberts 11

M George b T Matthews 15

D Ward c L Martin b D

Roberts 0

N George not out 40

M Crapp not out 2

Extras 7

Total (8 wkts) 147

Fall: 16-18-24-70-78-96-98-142.

Bowling: T Matthews 15-4-36-1, S Turner 14-1-30-3, D Roberts 12-4-31-3, D Toselend 14-4-47-1.

FALMOUTH

D Roberts c S Mellor b N

George 35

L Martin c G Edwards b S

Mellor 8

S Williams not out 36

A Noott not out 54

Extras 15

Total (2 wkts) 148

Fall: 36-52

Bowling: S Mellor 9-2-29-1, N George 6-0-34-1, B Dawson 5.4-0-29-0, M Crapp 6-3-17-0, M George 6-0-31-0.

Umpires: P Thomas and L Lobb.

Falmouth (19 pts) beat St Buryan (3 pts) by 8 wkts.