WERRINGTON remain on course for third as Thulina Dilshan returned to form with an unbeaten 108 in their eight-wicket home victory over Helston on Saturday in the ECB Cornwall Premier League.

The Sri Lankan right-hander has struggled of late, but showed his class by stroking 18 boundaries in his 100-ball knock as he and opener Ben Smeeth (71no) chased down Helston’s 202 all out with plenty of time to spare.

Helston arrived off the back of a home win over St Just while Werrington’s patchy away form continued the previous week at Camborne.

Werrington named an unchanged side and were asked to field first.

However, despite the sun-drenched conditions, it turned into the Dan Barnard show.

Bowling down the hill from the Wendy Orchard Scoreboard Box end, he first had Aussie Jayden Mitchell taken at square-leg by John Moon before bowling Steve Jenkin via an inside edge.

Karl Leathley (32) slapped a width ball to Mark Gribble at cover, while visiting Dan Jenkin edged a pearler through to captain Nick Lawson behind the stumps before Barnard got his fifth when Billy Taylor was bowled trying to pull.

Paul Smith had Lewis Stephens lbw playing around a straight one (85-6), before the Blues fought back to pass 200 thanks to 64 from Mark Jenkin.

He found support from Bryn Evans (23) and Aussie Harry Saunders (32) before Sam Hockin (2-41) wrapped up the innings by dismissing Saunders and Archie Martin in successive balls.

Werrington were in a spot of bother at 27-2 as Moon smashed a Ryan Tonkin delivery straight to Stephens at cover, before Mitchell trapped Mark Gribble lbw for nought.

But the hosts continued their fine home form which has seen them lose just one of their eight outings at Ladycross as Smeeth and Dilshan barely gave a chance.

Smeeth struck seven boundaries in his 126-ball stay, while Dilshan found the fence at will.

A delighted Lawson told the Post: “I was delighted with the way we bounced back after Camborne where we didn’t play very good cricket.

“The final scoreline was a lot closer than it should have been last week, but on Saturday we played really well and got the win which was particularly pleasing after the way we collapsed down at Helston earlier in the season.

“Hopefully we can use this as a bit of a springboard, and if we can get two wins out of our final three, we’ll be close to getting third which would be a really good season for us.”

Lawson praised Dilshan who hadn’t passed fifty in 10 games since his 226 against Camborne back in May.

He said: “I was delighted for Dilly yesterday. After how many runs he scored last year where he was the top run-scorer in the division and his double-century earlier in the year, people expected him to keep it going. That hasn’t quite happened but he was superb yesterday in what was an important chase.”

Lawson also reserved praise for Barnard following his five-wicket haul, concluding: “The boys were taking the mick a bit afterwards with how he got some of his wickets, but he’s bowled really well all season and at times hasn’t got the rewards. He’s a very popular character around the club, and everyone was delighted for him.”

Werrington visit second bottom St Just on Saturday (1pm).