WERRINGTON Cricket Club held their annual dinner and dance at Trethorne on Friday, September 20.

It was another enjoyable season at Ladycross with success throughout the juniors, newly-formed ladies and men’s teams.

The juniors saw plenty of representation at county level with many of them also making a mark in the senior set-up.

Some of Werrington's younger trophy winners. From left: Will Conway, Theo Hook, Ralph Hodgson and Henry Paynter. Picture: Liz Hodgson
Some of Werrington's younger trophy winners. From left: Will Conway, Theo Hook, Ralph Hodgson and Henry Paynter. Picture: Liz Hodgson (Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson)

The Under 15s, led by coaches Ben Smeeth and Rob May, capped off a fine season by seeing off Plymouth Peverell in a low-scoring cup final at Yelverton.

The ladies, captained by Cornwall youngster Grace Kirby, had an unforgettable debut year as they won the Cornwall Women’s Development League and Cornwall Softball League East Division.

Werrington's ladies team were all smiles after their incredible debut season. They are pictured alongside director of cricket Adam Hodgson (top left) and one of the coaches, Lee Houghton (top right). Back row: Adam Hodgson, Emma Horrell, Molly Curtis, Zoe Jenkin, Sharron Ruby, Hayley Kirby, Steph Smeeth and Lee Houghton. Front row: Ella Conway, Grace Kirby, Tilly Paynter, Freya Bailey, Lilly Sharland and Abi Westlake. Picture: Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson
Werrington's ladies team were all smiles after their incredible debut season. They are pictured alongside director of cricket Adam Hodgson (top left) and one of the coaches, Lee Houghton (top right). Back row: Adam Hodgson, Emma Horrell, Molly Curtis, Zoe Jenkin, Sharron Ruby, Hayley Kirby, Steph Smeeth and Lee Houghton. Front row: Ella Conway, Grace Kirby, Tilly Paynter, Freya Bailey, Lilly Sharland and Abi Westlake. Picture: Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson (Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson)

Hopes are high that they will continue to improve, while Emma Horrell became the first lady to play in the men’s fourth team.

The fourths were once again by club legend and groundsman Keith Moore and finished mid-table in Division Five East, but with only the top four staying in the new Division Five East, they are part of the other eight who will be in Division Six next summer.

The thirds cruised to the Division Four crown in 2023, but found life much tougher in Division Three, ending up fourth bottom, and with it relegation due to the league restructure for next year. There were some decent individual performances with both Sam Smeeth and Dan Jenkin taking over 20 wickets with the ball, while Ed Walters impressed with the gloves and at the top of the order. Paul Miller also batted and bowled well before injury curtailed his season.

The seconds were under the captaincy of Jason Seldon for the first time and they were top of Division Two East for much of the season before eventually finishing as runners-up to their St Austell counterparts.

Tom Lyle shone with the bat, while Seldon himself was the leading wicket-taker. Ian Searle and Nick Oldaker formed a miserly opening partnership with the ball.

The first team finished a comfortable sixth in the ECB Cornwall Premier League, that despite a patchy start.

Sri Lankan pro Thulina Dilshan found his feet as the season went on and ended up winning four of the club’s awards including the coveted supporters’ and players’ player of the year awards.

Director of cricket Adam Hodgson took the most wickets and contributed well with the bat at number three.

The winners of the awards were as follows: Under 11s: Batting – Henry Paynter; Bowling – Ralph Hodgson; Team – Theo Hook.

Under 13s: Batting – Tyler Jasper; Bowling – Henry Paynter, Sam Uglow and Will Conway (Joint Award, same wickets); Team – Matt Smart.

Under 15s: Batting – Ed Walters; Bowling – Sam Uglow; Team – Tyler May and Sam Smeeth (Joint award, same number of wickets);

Ladies’ Softball: Batting – Tilly Paynter; Bowling – Lily Sharland; Player of the Year – Zoe Jenkin.

Ladies’ Hardball: Batting – Emma Horrell; Bowling – Grace Kirby; Players’ Player – Molly Curtis.

Fourths: Batting (Brian Baker Cup) – Tyler Jasper; Bowling (Nick Banks Cup) – Dan Inman/Tom Petherick.

Thirds: Batting (Ken Bromell Cup) – Paul Miller; Bowling (WCC Cup) – Sam Smeeth.

Seconds: Batting (Stan Bailey Cup) – Tom Lyle; Bowling (Liz Hodgson Cup) – Jason Seldon; Players’ Player (Roy Cobbledick Cup) – Tom Lyle.

Firsts: Batting (Sid Field Cup) – Thulina Dilshan; Bowling (Robert Williams Cup) – Adam Hodgson; Unsung Hero (Smeeth Cup) – Sam Hockin; Players’ Player (Margaret Jenkin Cup) – Thulina Dilshan; Supporters’ Player (Denis and Irene Horwell Cup) – Thulina Dilshan.

Club Awards: Most Catches (Dot Cole Cup) – Thulina Dilshan; Best Bowling Figures (Percy Bowles Cup) – Ben Sonley; Best Young Bowling Figures (Len Hamlyn Cup) – Sam Smeeth; Clubperson of the Year (Harry Baker Cup) – Matt Chatfield; Young Clubperson of the Year (Pauline Smeeth Cup) – George Rickard; Most Promising Young Player – Tyler Jasper.

Matt Chatfield was presented with the Harry Baker Cup for the Clubperson of the Year award by Carol Baker. Picture: Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson
Matt Chatfield was presented with the Harry Baker Cup for the Clubperson of the Year award by Carol Baker. Picture: Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson (Werrington CC/Liz Hodgson)