Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George last week helped Newlyn's fishermen to victory in a charity cricket match against a combined team of staff from the Marine Fisheries Agency and Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee. Penzance Cricket Club hosted the event to raise money for the Newlyn fishermen's memorial fund.

Electing to bat first, the fishermen ("poachers") made a disastrous start, losing David Pascoe to the first ball and the experienced Nicky Cripps a few balls later.

An embarrassing batting collapse was on the cards, but the arrival of James Pascoe and his 43 not out in an 80-run partnership with the St Ives MP put victory in sight.

The "gamekeepers" started steadily through fine batting by fishery officer Carol Billson, but soon wickets started to fall thanks to a good spell by Seafood Cornwall leader, Nathan de Rozarieux.

Mr de Rozarieux said: "With Andrew Pascoe's pace bowling and Andrew George's spin, the poachers continued to grind down the opposition until their star batsman Gary Thomas extended his 'fishy' fish sampling role by hitting a series of boundaries, including some sixes, and the gamekeepers were in with a chance.

"But steady bowling in the closing overs from Dave 'Lofty' Tremeer and Mick Bacon, plus some excellent fielding by Quentin Knights, made it increasingly difficult for Gary, and the poachers won the day.

"Both sides thank Godfrey Adams and the staff at Penzance Cricket Club, Andrew Pascoe for his fundraising, fish merchant Robin Turner for his priceless commentary, Jake Freethy and Anthony Oliver for manning the barbecue and Jon Lansley at Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre for putting together the match programme."

Over £3,000 was raised.

Article copyright INSIDE CORNWALL

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