AFTER a tricky start to their season, St Gluvias are gradually heading towards safety in County Division One thanks to four straight wins.

The Penryn-based side continued their good form on Saturday with a five wicket success at home over second bottom Launceston to help them move into sixth place.

Jake Preston's 78 not out proved to be the crucial innings for the hosts as they chased down a target of 192 with 3.4 overs to spare.

He was assisted by Jon Udy's 37, which came after the skipper had claimed five scalps for 29 with his spin bowling.

Away captain Dan Tilley won the toss and elected to bat first, but proceedings did not get off to a flying start as opener Ian Searle departed with just six on the board as Andrew Julian got him LBW.

Launceston made it to 38 before Preston bowled opener Gavin Wallis for 20 and at this point, their innings was looking rocky.

However, a stand of 98 between Sam Pengelly and Tilley looked to have settled the visiting ship before the latter was given out LBW off Phil Bostock's bowling.

This sparked a collapse which saw Launceston fall from 136-2 to 191 all out as Bostock and Udy spun the batsmen into a trance, picking up the eight remaining wickets in the process.

Pengelly fell shortly after his skipper with a 62-ball 76, featuring eight fours and three sixes, but the only other player to reach double figures was Jordan Duke who hit 26 coming in at number seven.

St Gluvias made a better start to their innings, but only just as Scott Kellow was bowled by Peter West for two with the score on seven.

Australian overseas player Ryan Dallimore joined Preston at the crease and the duo put on 90 runs together, putting up a solid platform for the Saints to build their victory from.

Dallimore departed for 30 and Matt Julian soon followed for 12, but Udy came out and got his side to within 26 runs of victory as he and Preston compiled a partnership of 51 for the fourth wicket.

Richard Kellow did not trouble the scorers after Udy's wicket, but a four and a six was smashed by Josh Kelly as the finishing line was reached by the hosts.

The Saints' recent good form will be put to its toughest test on Saturday when they travel to table-toppers Helston, who until two games ago had not been defeated in the league.