GEORGE Rickard made his highest Premier League score but it wasn’t enough as a depleted Werrington were beaten by six wickets by champions Penzance at Ladycross.

The home side were once again without the holidaying John Moon and injured Mark Taskis, while four regulars in Mark Gribble, Ben Jenkin, Darren Webber and Jordan Duke were all on a stag do.

It meant Rickard, Ed Walters and Zander Zambuni were called up, while Sam Hockin was back to take the new ball.

Werrington chose to bat and openers Ben Smeeth (15) and Hugh Tomkinson put on 22 before Tomkinson was castled by Mehran Sanwal who later produced a peach to bowl Smeeth.

Sri Lankan Thulina Dilshan had struck three centuries in his last five games, but made just three before departing to Jonny Ludlam, caught off a leading edge.

Adam Hodgson (18) was caught behind off the rapid Josh Croom and when skipper Nick Lawson was run-out following a mix-up with Rickard, it was 63-5.

Rickard added 36 with fellow teenager Billy Uglow (9), and although he departed at 124-8, he had made 45 from 66 balls.

Hockin added an unbeaten 19 before the end came at 141 when last man Dan Barnard was caught behind off Croom.

Werrington needed a rollocking start and Hockin (3-34 off 7) provided it.

He first had Christian Purchase caught in the slips by Hodgson before he took out Charlie Sharland and Brad Wadlan in successive deliveries. Sharland was bowled by a pearler before the latter edged through to Lawson.

But an 83-run stand between surviving opener Jack Paull and Grant Stone (26) took the sting out of the situation and although Hodgson (1-31 off 10) caught and bowled Stone with 32 required, Paull (80no) was joined by Croom (11no) to get the job done.

Werrington welcome St Just on Saturday (1pm).