CAMBORNE are closing in on an immediate return to the top flight after seeing off champions and nearest challengers Beacon by 155 runs at Warrior Park.

Josh Fontana (42), Dan Stephens (65) and Alfie MacDonald (18) took the hosts to 139-3 before a 92-run stand for the fifth wicket between Danuka Dilshan (82 off 77) and Jamie Goldsworthy (38 off 30) saw Camborne reach 269-7. Jordan Thomas (3-58) got some late reward, while veteran Darren Proctor took 2-34 from his nine.

Beacon needed a good start but initially had no answer to Dan Hocking (3-21), and when Thomas (20) was fourth out at 49, they were in trouble.

They were dismissed for 112, helped by 31 from Stephen Wiseman, but the hosts are 13 clear with three to play.

St Erme will need to win two of their last three games to have any chance of survival after a seven-wicket defeat at Paul who all but confirmed their safety.

The visitors were going okay at 48-1, but the departure of Spencer Wilcock (28) to Joe Sharp, sparked a remarkable collapse as Sharp (3-20) and Will Trenoweth (2-25) shared five.

Opening bowlers Michael Fitchett (2-25) and Damon Nicholls (2-30) then returned in a total of 107 all out.

Ross Williams (57) and Ben Brooks (25) then shared 81 in the chase despite 2-11 from West Indian left-arm spinner Rakesh Seecharan.

St Erme sit 25 points behind third bottom Roche who put St Austell Seconds into the drop zone at Trezaise Road.

Roche were 86-2 with Jason Williams (17) and Stewart May (37) going well, but required an unbeaten 37 from James Hunkin to help them reach 166 all out.

For the Saints, seamers Tom Rosevear (2-38), Spencer Bist (2-36) and Steve Raven (2-23) shared six wickets, while James Carter took 3-34.

St Austell were well-placed at 63-1 through Raven (40) and Jack Mallet (16), but they lost six wickets for as many runs with Liam Philips (4-42) and May (3-6 off 10) doing the damage.

Rosevear (17), James Pook (38) and Bist (11) all dug in, but the end came at 144 when Oscar Green (2-16) bowled Pook, meaning Roche sit six ahead of the Saints.

Only Tommy Rodda (15) and Adam Cocking (23) reached double figures in Newquay’s 73 all out at home to third-placed Hayle as brothers Matt (3-26) and Dan Lello (3-18) shared six wickets.

Aizaz Ahmed (26), Dan Lello (18no) and Steve Richards got the job done inside 12 overs.

Falmouth have a 27-point advantage over St Austell following a five-wicket success at fourth-placed Perranporth.

The home side were in all sorts of trouble at 59-7 in the 14th over as Haydn Ayres (2-38) and Adrian Noott (4-38) did most of the damage.

The Pilchards did recover to 141 all out thanks to Josh Anderson (43no) and James Hall (27), but Rhys McGowan’s 3-8 wrapped up the innings.

Openers Harry Phillpott (27) and Ayres (39) then led the way in the chase.