WERRINGTON skipper Nick Lawson admitted Ladycross was ‘a difficult place to defend’ after Redruth eased to an eight-wicket victory in the ECB Cornwall Premier League on Saturday.

The home side knocked up a seemingly challenging 264-7 thanks to half centuries from Adam Hodgson (98no) and John Moon (50), plus 44 from Sri Lankan pro Thulina Dilshan.

But on a superb batting pitch and small ground, the Reds raced to victory with more than five overs to spare.

Lawson said: “It was hugely disappointing to lose having posted a total like that, but over the course of 95-odd overs there were more than 520 runs scored for just nine wickets which goes to show how good the pitch was.

“That said, we were well-placed with 20 overs to go to push towards 300 and we didn’t even get 270.

“We’ve got to get better in those final overs and make sure there’s less dot balls and find a way to get the ball to the fence.”

Lawson admitted they needed early wickets in the chase which weren’t forthcoming.

He continued: “With 264 on the board we knew if we could get the dangerous Toby Whiteford out early then we’d have a good chance.

“We dropped him twice before 40, and he made us pay.”

Lawson admitted if the recent good weather continues it’s going to be a tough slog for the bowlers.

He said: “It’s up to us to perhaps come up with some different plans whether that’s while out in the field, or what I do at the toss.

“The pitch on Saturday was so true and batsmen could just hit through the line, it was hard work.”

After Werrington chose to bat they got off to a good start before Ben Smeeth edged Dylan Caddy behind for 19.

Moon and Adam Hodgson took the score to 103 before the in-form Moon was trapped lbw by Lloyd Brock for 50.

Hodgson was joined by Dilshan who struck seven boundaries in his 44 before he picked out Justin Beaton on the boundary.

At 186-3 with 12 overs to go, Werrington looked set for a score towards 300, but instead just 78 came off the final 72 balls as the Reds battled back.

Hodgson upped the ante to finish 98 not out from 107 balls, but of the rest, nobody made more than Mark Gribble’s 14.

The chase saw Reduth time it to perfection with teenagers Toby and Elliott Stoddard to the fore.

Both Tobys – Whiteford and Stoddard (48) provided the ideal base as they added 110 before the latter was adjudged lbw on the sweep to Adam Hodgson.

Whiteford banged five sixes and was just five short of a brilliant hundred when he was superbly caught on the boundary by Mark Taskis off Dilshan for 95.

But Elliott Stoddard (73no) and Dulash Udayanga (38no) piled on another 103 to seal another win.

Werrington visit promoted Grampound Road on Saturday.

Lawson said: “We know it’ll probably be a good wicket judging from the scores there so far, and (Dave) Hoskings and (Antony) Angove will come out and attack so it’s up to us to get them early.

But in both games so far they’ve lost wickets in clusters after a good start, so hopefully it can continue.

“But it’s a game they’ll be targeting at home, so we need to train well on Wednesday and put in a decent performance.”