HOLSWORTHY skipper Ryan Walter feels his side ‘still have a chance’ of survival in Division Two East of the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League following last Saturday’s 15-run victory over high-flying St Blazey at Stanhope Park.

The Trees headed into that game 23 points behind second bottom St Minver who picked up 10 points from their defeat at home to Lanhydrock, but the Devonians’ 19 points means that gap is down to just 14 with seven games remaining.

Holsworthy knocked up a competitive 192-5 from their 45 overs as after openers Aiden Gerry (32) and Jack Greening (65) put on 87 helped by Greening being dropped twice early on, Aussie Noah Pigdon added a quickfire 47.

That appeared perfectly gettable, particularly after Blazey reached 135-4 in reply with South African Ruhann Brenner set on 40, but a superb all-round performance led by Pigdon’s 5-40 from eight overs of off-spin ensured a vital victory.

Walter told the Post: We had to win on Saturday really and we did it with a really good performance.

“We’d have obviously liked to get 200 for the fifth batting point, and although it wasn’t to be, mainly because they bowled well and didn’t give us much, we were relatively pleased.

“Aiden and Jack’s opening partnership was excellent, particularly with the heat around and then we put on a near-perfect performance in the field.

“Obviously there’s always things you can improve on, but from where we’ve been it was great.

Everybody stuck at it, we bowled to our plans and we caught everything which was the difference between the two teams really.

“They dropped Jack twice before he got to 30, but we’ll take it.”

The Trees could move out of the bottom two with a convincing victory this weekend if St Minver lose their derby at Wadebridge Seconds, and Walter knows they are now within touching distance.

He said: “We’re now back to within 14 points which is a bit more manageable and gives us a chance.

“We know there’s still a lot to do, but we’re in a much better position than we were going into last weekend.”

Pigdon has had the daunting task of being the overseas player this summer following two impressive seasons from South African Herschelle Poggenpoel, and the teenager responded when his side needed him most.

Walter said: “Noah did brilliantly.

“He got 47 quite quickly after we gave him the platform he needed and he hit a couple of massive sixes, while with the ball he bowled really well, stuck to his plans and deserved his five wickets.

“He and Graham (Wild, 0-14 off 9) bowled well together and hopefully we can see a few more performances like that between now and the end of the season.”

The Trees are on their travels tomorrow as they head down the A30 to third-placed Lanhydrock (1pm) who need a win of their own to maintain the pressure on leaders Luckett.

Walter continued: “It’s going to be a tough one as they’re obviously towards the top for a reason, but everybody knows they rely a lot on Amir (Khan) at the top of the order, so getting him out as quickly as possible is going to be key.

“We’re going down there with a bit of a changed side from last week with Dan Smith, Rob Mitchell, Lewis Chidley, Chris Pomeroy and Rory Piper unavailable for various reasons, but I’m still confident that if we play like we can, there’s no reason why we can’t come away with a positive result.

“If we play to our potential we can beat anybody, but we know it won’t be easy down there.”

Matt Shepherd, Sam Stacey, Brendan Harris, Nick Ward and Adam Lovejoy are all recalled to the side with Walter set to replace Pomeroy behind the stumps.

HOLSWORTHY at Lanhydrock: Aiden Gerry, Jack Greening, Brendan Harris, Matt Shepherd, Noah Pigdon, Ryan Walter (capt, wkt), Sam Stacey, Adam Lovejoy, Guy Beagley, Nick Ward, Graham Wild.