WERRINGTON skipper hailed opening bowlers Sam Hockin and Dan Barnard after the duo shared all ten wickets in a seven-wicket rout over St Austell in the ECB Cornwall Premier League.

The Saints arrived at Ladycross third and just a handful of points behind leaders Penzance, but after choosing to bat never got started as they were dismissed for 67 in just 20 overs.

Mike Bone was bowled in the first over by Barnard who soon had Sri Lankan pro Thevindu Dickwella brilliantly caught by Hockin at short cover.

Barnard got a third when Dan Jarman was adjudged to be caught behind, before Hockin then took the next seven.

The former Bude man bowled Connor Cooke (12) before trapping Ben Sleeman lbw for a 21-ball nought.

The in-form Alex Bone (15) got a couple away, but after Andrew Libby chipped a catch to Ben Smeeth, Bone top-edged a pull down to Barnard at fine-leg.

Hockin then induced an edge from the usually obdurate Gary Bone to John Moon at second-slip, before bowling tailenders Liam Watson and Matt Lloyd.

Werrington lost Hockin early as he edged Watson to Dickwella at slip, but Moon (22) and Adam Hodgson (24) attacked when they could.

Moon was out when he top-edged a pull and Hodgson was lbw to Libby, but Thulina Dilshan’s unbeaten 16 got Werrington home as they moved 12 points clear of bottom side Truro.

Lawson told the Post: “We were absolutely delighted to get such an important win against a really good side in St Austell.

“We also took a lot of very good catches despite actually dropping three, but with it being the first of four really tough games in a row, it gives us a real springboard before we go to Wadebridge on Saturday.”

Lawson hailed Barnard and Hockin who both bowled ten overs and conceded just 32.

He continued: “Sam’s had a bit of an up and down start to the season with the ball, but I was delighted for him to get a seven-fer.

“I could tell in the warm-up that Barney was on it as he was nipping it through and when he took out the top three, I thought he’d go and get five.

“He’s very good against left-handers and the way he set it up for us was superb.

“In recent weeks they’ve only usually bowled five or six each at the start, but with the way they were going I kept them going and it worked.

“With the chase, ultimately it was just about getting over the line but we wanted to get it done as soon as possible.

“It was slightly disappointing to drop a point, but to get 19 points, we’d obviously have taken that start.”

Werrington visit second-placed Wadebridge on Saturday (1pm) and Lawson admits it’s all to play for.

He said: “We’ll have a better idea by next weekend where everyone stands once everyone has played each other once, but as I’ve said before, a couple of wins will get you away from trouble and a couple of defeats will bring you right back in it.

“As for Wadebridge, they’re a very good side.

“They have five or six match-winners but we’re usually very competitive there.

“It’s a lovely ground with a good wicket and there’s usually a decent crowd in, so we’ll go down there and see what happens.”