TRURO have a 31-point lead at the top of the table in the Cornwall Women’s Hardball League after easing past Perranporth counterparts at Boscawen Park on Sunday.

After Rosie Norton dismissed Lottie Bose (2) early on, the city outfit respond as opener Rebecca Rowe made an unbeaten 50, but it was important contributions from Lorraine Fletcher (38), Lisa Harper (31) and Tegan Buckingham (25no) that helped them reach 194-4 from their 30 overs. Erin Milsom continued her fine wicket-taking form with 2-25 from her six overs.

The visitors also lost just the four wickets, but ended up 49 short as Truro strangled them early on.

Milsom opened the batting and added 31 before falling to make it 53-2, and when Ashley Bridges trapped Scarlett Mould lbw for 10, it was 63-3.

The Pilchards fought back as Trudy Kake made 21 not out, but it was a quickfire 45 from Norton that got them up towards 150.

They remain fifth, seven points adrift of third-placed Werrington and Grampound Road, the latter who were awarded a home walkover by bottom side Helston.

In the other game, Werrington moved up to third as they saw off neighbours South Petherwin by 20 runs at Ladycross.

They made 205-7 from their 30 overs thanks to Grace Kirby who retired on 50, 53 extras and useful contributions from Emma Horrell (43), Zoe Jenkin (28) and Molly Curtis (19).

Alice Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 from her six overs, while Emma Barnes (2-30) and Meg Masters (2-41) got reward in their six-over spells.

South Petherwin were well-placed at 82-0 in the 15th over, helped by Mitchell’s 46 from just 51 balls.

But once she and Alice Kodritsch fell in successive balls to Horrell who went on to take the remarkable figures of 4-7 from her five overs, they stumbled to 101-3 with just ten overs remaining.

Surviving opener Barnes made 49 but took 82 balls to do so, but Olivia Jones’ 49 from just 39 balls which included ten fours, ensured they got to within 20.

Both batters were dismissed in the final over bowled by Horrell as Werrington kept up their good recent form.