Penzance secure Lord's final in National Club Championship

Penzance will play at Lord's on Saturday 20 September

Penzance Cricket Club will play at Lord's for the first time in their history after reaching the final of the National Club Championship.

The West Cornwall side produced a superb performance at St Clare to beat Wanstead and Snaresbrook by 179 runs in the 40-over match.

Having lost the toss and been put into bat, Penzance scored an incredible 410-6 as Christian Purchase made 143 off just 63 balls.

The Cornwall opener smashed 11 sixes and 16 fours as he and Jack Paull put on 183 for the opening wicket.

Paull (43) was one of five other Penzance players to score over 40 - skipper Brad Wadlan made 68, Josh Croom 50 not out, Tommy Sturgess 50 while Nic Halstead Cleak hit 47.

In reply, Wanstead and Snaresbrook were bowled out for 231 off 32 overs as Mehran Sanwal and Wadlan each took three wickets as Yuvraj Odedra top-scored with 79 for the Londoners.

'An incredible achievement'

Penzance are close to winning the Cornwall Premier Division title

"It was an incredible day," Wadlan told BBC Radio Cornwall. "To put that sort of performance together in such a high pressure game was just a joy to watch.

"Christian was just at a different level, he's been outstanding throughout the whole competition, that was his third 100 in four national knockout games.

"So he set the tone. Him and Jack Paull have been exceptional opening the batting and we got to drinks and we were 200-2 and we thought 240, 250 on that wicket was going to be a good score so we were in the box seat from the first hour really."

Penzance will face Ormskirk in the final at Lord's on 20 September as they aim for a first-ever national title.

"It's an incredible achievement and you could see how much it meant to everyone around the ground," added Wadlan.

"I told the boys in the changing room that we savour the moment and just take it in and realise what an achievement you've made.

"Penzance have never achieved that, so going down in history there and playing for your home club at Lord's is going to be very special.

"We've got a couple of days to soak it all up and reply to all these messages and to really appreciate everyone's support and then on Saturday we're at home to Truro and hopefully we can clinch the league and finish off the season with a bang."