WERRINGTON continued their solid start to their pre-season schedule on Saturday with a 71-run victory at North Devon.

The Cornishmen headed up to the picturesque Instow looking to build on their 160-run success at Sidmouth a week earlier, and although again missing some players – this time in skipper Nick Lawson, Ben Smeeth and Ben Jenkin – they proved too strong for their hosts.

North Devon, relegated last year from the Devon Premier League, were asked to field first by stand-in captain Mark Gribble who saw director of cricket Adam Hodgson make it back-to-back half centuries with 54.

Fellow opener John Moon made 21, and Gribble 23 at number three, before Hodgson’s 76-ball knock ended when he chopped on off Jay Rothery (120-3).

Cornwall skipper Paul Smith (28) and Sri Lankan pro Thulina Dilshan (23) added a further 46, but once they were separated, they slipped from 166-3 to 186-7.

However, Sam Hockin’s quickfire 24 with help from Dan Barnard (17) got them up to 231 all-out in a game reduced to 45 overs.

North Devon got off to a good start via the attacking Rothery and Navindu Vanderbona (17) who added 66 in less than 15 overs.

But once the latter was caught by Smith off Jordan Duke, the wheels fell off with the left-arm seamer taking a superb 4-8 from just five overs.

He soon had Rothery bowled for 45 as well as dismissing Josh Atkinson and Jack Moore for just four between them.

Mark Taskis (1-32 off 9) soon had youngster Freddie Bettiss lbw, but Jack Popham and wicket-keeper Richard Screech dug in to add 40 and get the hosts back in the contest.

But once they were separated by George Rickard and Popham (45) was caught off the returning Hockin (2-41), they slipped to 160 all-out.

Werrington’s final pre-season outing is at home to Tavistock on Saturday (midday).