WERRINGTON skipper Nick Lawson admits a top half finish is the target in the ECB Cornwall Premier League this summer.

The Ladycross outfit, who visit neighbours Callington in their opener on Saturday (1pm), have won the title four times, but with the league seemingly getting stronger by the year, all 18 games provide a real challenge.

Reflecting on last term’s sixth-placed finish, Lawson said: “Mid-table was a fair reflection of how we played, and we lost four very close games. If we’d won those we’d have comfortably been in the top half.

“We need to learn from those and when we’re in those situations again, react differently.”

Their total of 197 points was only 13 off third-placed Wadebridge and just five ahead of St Just in eighth, and Lawson feels they aren’t far away.

He said: “The Premier League is going to be really tough again, with a lot of very good pros and overseas players.

“Although I think Callington and Penzance will be the top two in some order, the level of pros and overseas will throw up some interesting results I’m sure.

“But an issue from last year which we hope will be better this summer is our availability.

“We chopped and changed a lot, and if we can tackle that a bit, everybody will have clearer roles.

“If we can have a top half finish and a decent run in the Hawkey Cup that’d be great, but we know that’ll be tough with us having Callington away in the cup.”

The only change to the first team squad is Ryan Pooley going back to Tintagel, and Lawson wants to give opportunities.

He said: “I want to try and give some of the younger lads more of a role. They’ll be selected on their ability and the chance to affect games.”

While giving chances to the youth is the plan, the performances of Sri Lankan pro Thulina Dilshan will go a long way to deciding their fate.

He racked up 648 runs in all competitions last summer in his first UK stint, and Werrington will hope for more of the same.

Lawson said: “We’re delighted to have Dilly back. He’s great both on and off the field and is just a very, very good cricketer.

“He’s a fine batsman, a decent leg-spinner who I probably under-bowled last year, and is probably the best fielder I’ve ever seen, so we’re delighted to have him back.”

The rest of the club is also looking in rude health with the club keen to continue their philosophy of promoting from within.

There are also plans for a clubhouse extension, while first team games will be live-streamed and the ever-growing ladies’ team will now be known as the Werrington Yaws.

Lawson continued: “The seconds will be looking to try and build on what they did last year in Division Two. Jason (Seldon) had a really good first season in the role and was able to integrate some of the youngsters into the side, and that’ll be the same again this year with the likes of Ed Walters and Billy Uglow.

“The thirds have a new captain in Snippy (Ian Worsnip) who replaces Ian Wills who is doing the fourths.

“We now have sides in the Premier down to Division Six which means there’s a clear pathway between the sides which is great.”