WERRINGTON stand-in skipper Ben Smeeth hailed a ‘remarkable day’ as the Tron moved 23 points clear of the relegation spot with a thrilling two-wicket victory over visiting Grampound Road on Saturday in the ECB Cornwall Premier League.

On a day nobody present will ever forget, the Roadies racked up a hefty 333-6 from their 50 overs as Werrington’s bowlers struggled on a superb batting pitch and rapid outfield at Ladycross.

Visiting openers Antony Angove (31) and Tom Orpe put on 75 in good time before the former became Billy Uglow’s first Premier league wicket in just his second over, and although Alex Lean and Harry Matthews struggled to score as freely as they would like, Orpe continued on his merry way as he smacked 99 from just 89 balls before falling one short of a deserved century when he was caught and bowled by Smeeth.

However, Sri Lankan pro Ravi Karunarathna came in at at the fall of Matthews’ wicket (162-3) and after crashing his two of his first three balls for four, proceeded to smack 109 not out from just 58 balls as he and Harry Gregory (35 off 45) gave the Werrington bowlers the runaround in a stand of 121.

But once Gregory went to opening bowler Dan Barnard at 308-5 (2-45), he and Sam Hockin (0-65) bowled tightly at the end to give them the slimmest of chances.

A target of 334 looked a long way off at 26-2 with Hockin (16) and Adam Hodgson (0) gone, but by the time John Moon (89) and Thulina Dilshan (121) were separated they were comfortably in front.

Dilshan produced his second successive hundred at Ladycross as he smacked 17 fours and two sixes in his 83-ball knock, falling with the score at 228-3 with more than 20 overs to go.

Moon, who made 89 from 98 balls added another 27 with Ben Jenkin, but once he fell, the Roadies struck twice more in quick succession as Nathan Keevil (3-66) dismissed Smeeth and Uglow in successive balls (259-6).

But Werrington, who only had ten batsmen following a dislocated finger suffered by Mark Taskis in the field, weren’t to be denied.

Jenkin was joined by Barnard who smacked 25 from 16 balls and with Jenkin, who finished 32 not out from 52 balls, gradually going up through the gears, they whittled the target down.

However, Barnard and debutant wicketkeeper Ed Walters went to Angove (2-64), meaning the last wicket pairing of Jenkin and Jordan Duke required 25.

They kept their cool and started the last over, to be bowled by Karunarathna, needing three.

After two wides off the first, Duke (13no) cut away the fourth legal delivery to spark wild celebrations on the sidelines.

While Werrington have won the title four times since being promoted back in 2004, Smeeth, who has been there from the start and was captain from 2006 up until 2016, admitted he was even taken aback.

He said: “I remember about 280 being the previous highest chase we’ve managed on a couple of occasions, so it was a remarkable day.

“It was such a good game, Grampound batted extremely well and we have had two last-over wins against them this season which has ultimately put us in a strong position to push on for the remainder of the season now.

“But what an atmosphere it was and thank you to all of our supporters who cheered us on when we batted.

“Moments like these don’t happen very often so we will savour it and move onto Helston away on Saturday.”

As for the game itself, Smeeth admitted the weather, which came in towards the end, had a big say.

He said: “We had a clear plan before the match which was to bowl first and then try and knock them off or win on Duckworth-Lewis as the forecast was for heavy rain from tea time. That was the best option to win the match.

“Although they scored 333-6, I thought Grampound should have scored 20 more than they did so credit to Dan Barnard and Sam Hockin for bowling the last few overs of their innings as we just kept them in touch.

“Then with the bat, Dilly and Moony were absolutely class as they both batted with freedom and confidence and played all round the ground with ease. You just can’t bowl to Dilly in that mood, he’s brilliant!

“Ben Jenkin played a cracking knock at the end using his experience to get us over the line with Dukey who was the last man as Mark Taskis dislocated his finger very badly when fielding so we only had 10 batters. We all wish Tasky a speedy recovery but it’s likely he will be out of the season now.”

It’s not often you see over 650 runs scored on a Cornish track, and Smeeth hailed long-serving groundsman, Keith Moore.

He said: “The wicket was a credit to Bod. It was so flat which meant runs were much easier to come by which made for an exciting game for everyone involved and any chase possible.”

While Werrington wouldn’t want to be without their main leadership team too often, not having Nick Lawson and MarkGribble gave the opportunity for Walters and Uglow – two of the club’s exciting under 18s – a top-flight bow.

Smeeth concluded: “We were delighted to hand first team debuts to two emerging talents in Billy Uglow and Ed Walters.

“With club captain Nick Lawson at a wedding and vice-captain Mark Gribble injured from last week, we knew it was a great opportunity for the young lads to have their first taste of Premier cricket and both contributed to an amazing win for us.”