TWO of the South West Peninsula League Premier West title favourites – Penzance and St Austell – played out a 1-1 draw at Penlee Park last night.

The Magpies enjoyed a fine campaign last time out, finishing fourth in the table as well as retaining their Walter C Parson League Cup crown and winning the Cornwall Senior Cup for the first time in 45 years with a 3-0 success over Camelford.

St Austell have put together a brand-new team following the return of Chris Knight for a third time as manager after being kicked out of the Western League, and they got their campaign off to a winning start on Saturday with a 2-0 victory at Holsworthy.

Penzance started the brighter and took an 18th minute lead as influential attacker Lewis Caspall won the ball back in the Lillywhites half before driving forward and finding Jacob Turner who beat Morgan Coxhead from inside the box.

The Magpies dominated possession in the first half but were pegged back eight minutes after the restart as Kieron Bishop’s cross from the left was headed in at the far post by Rubin Wilson.

Both teams suffered serious injuries with Penzance’s Mark Richards suffering a dislocated shoulder, while full-back Kyle Marks was stretchered off with a medial ligament problem.

Elsewhere in the division, Wadebridge Town’s first game under returning club legend Paul Rowe saw them edge Mousehole 3-2 in a remarkable conclusion at Bodieve Park.

Freddie Foster put the North Cornwall side in front just after half-time before sub Victor Mullalay levelled with 14 to play.

Rowe put the hosts ahead on 85 minutes but were level in the third minute of injury-time via Joe Davies which some had down as an own goal. But in a fairytale finale, Wadebridge went up the other end to win it via Rowe three minutes later.

Helston Athletic took voluntary relegation from the Western League, but returning manager Steve Massey oversaw a commanding 6-1 derby success over visiting Wendron United.

The Dron started with a 2-1 win at Millbrook on Saturday, but the Blues – in their first competitive outing of the campaign – proved far too strong despite falling behind inside 90 seconds.

Helston gradually got on top and equalised on the half-hour through Harry Morton and led seven minutes later through new skipper Ketan Cooper.

Soon after the restart it was 3-1 at Josh Daniel turned inside and let fly with success, and midway through the half they added a fourth through full-back Calum Knowles at the far post.

Sub Toby Griggs added a fifth late on, and in injury-time Cooper netted his brace.

Camelford are looking to be in the title mix and came out 2-0 winners over promoted St Mawgan at Trefrew Park.

The visitors had some big chances in the opening half an hour including Jack Clarke being denied in a one-on-one situation with Cory Harvey, but the hosts scored twice in the final seven minutes before the interval.

Firstly, midfielder Kenley Dyson swept in from 16 yards, before a superb angled ball found winger Liam Higgins who rounded the keeper and made no mistake.

After the break the visitors emptied the bench in a bid to find a way back in it, and saw Jay Davie force Harvey into another good stop, but it could have ended 3-0 if a header hadn’t struck the crossbar.

Sticker made it two wins from two with a 2-0 victory over visiting Falmouth Town Reserves at Burngullow Park.

Falmouth had plenty of possession, but Sticker won it via a superb Connor Cooke volley from the edge of the box just before the break and a tidy finish from summer signing Cam Bidgood after being set up by Ethan Skyba.

Last year’s bottom two – Dobwalls and Launceston – served up a six-goal thriller at Lantoom Park.

Jack Gaynor put the Dingos in front on 15 minutes against the run of play before Launceston levelled on 37 through striker Lee Robinson.

The dangerous Alex Oshinyemi put Dobwalls back in front before the break with a fine individual effort, and within five minutes of the restart it was 3-1 via Eli Causon.

However, Launceston showed some battling qualities themselves as they halved the deficit on 55 via a Robinson penalty.

Both sides had chances as the game progressed, but the Clarets secured an opening game draw through an own goal on 84 minutes.