The West Cornwall outfit are looking for a league and cup double and come 8pm on Sunday will either be in a great position for both or out of the ECB National Club Championship and playing catch up to win the ECB Cornwall Premier League.
First up on Saturday for the leaders is a trip to Wadebridge in the Premier League with the Swans now within five points.
Last weekend saw Penzance have their home clash with Helston abandoned after less than 21 overs of play, while Wadebridge were just two runs ahead of the requires DLS target to deny Truro victory at Boscawen Park.
And while both Penzance and Truro were left fuming at the weather, it means for the neutral, Saturday’s clash at The Riverside couldn’t be any bigger.
Ironically, Wadebridge were also helped out by the weather in the reverse fixture as when they went off, they were narrowly ahead thanks to a brilliant spell from left-armer Elliot Dunnett.
Looking ahead to Saturday which starts an hour earlier than usual at midday, Penzance player/coach Brad Wadlan told the Voice: “It’s the business end of the season and we know Wadebridge have a number of good players and a well-balanced team.
“It will of course be a difficult game I’m sure. We have had two rained out matches in the last three weeks and Wadebridge have managed to get on and play to close the gap at the top.
“It’s not all on Saturday as there is still a fair way to go, but it will certainly shape how the table looks.
“But we are close to full strength for the game so we are looking forward to travelling up.”
While Saturday is important, arguably the biggest game in the club’s history is at Middleton on Sunday (1pm).
The hosts are second in the ECB Sussex Premier League and so far have taken out some big clubs in the likes of Ealing and Sunbury.
Penzance, who made the last eight back in 2023 before being hammered by visiting Teddington, travel looking to become just the fourth club after Camborne (1982), Truro (1990) and neighbours St Just (2006 and 2007) to reach the last four of the National Club Championship, and if they do so will be one game away from a Lord’s final on Saturday, September 20.
Wadlan continued: “Sunday’s quarter-final is something that we planned for all winter.
“We wanted to push hard in this competition and to be in the last eight is a great achievement in itself.
“We know Middleton are a very good side and we have done our research into them already, but for us it’s about being well-prepared like we were for the previous round against Bridgwater and then executing our roles as individuals.
“Hopefully a strong performance again Sunday will give us the opportunity to host a home semi-final and be just one game away from a Lord’s final.”
Penzance have named a 12-man squad for the trip to Middleton and will name their team once they have arrived.
Tommy Sturgess is unavailable for Saturday and comes into the reckoning while a bus load of supporters are going up with the team.
Penzance at Wadebridge: Christian Purchase, Jack Paull, Charlie Sharland, Brad Wadlan (capt), Nic Halstead-Cleak (wkt), Grant Stone, Josh Croom, Jonny Ludlam, Mehran Sanwal, Charlie Hearn.
Penzance squad at Middleton: Christian Purchase, Jack Paull, Charlie Sharland, Brad Wadlan (capt), Nic Halstead-Cleak (wkt), Grant Stone, Josh Croom, Jonny Ludlam, Mehran Sanwal, Charlie Hearn, Tommy Sturgess.
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