PENZANCE skipper Brad Wadlan admitted Saturday’s three-run defeat at St Austell in the ECB Cornwall Premier League was ‘one that got away’.

A drama-filled afternoon saw the Saints post 222-7 after choosing to bat, a score which looked a long way off when Tom Dinnis single-handedly reduced the hosts to 44-3, one of which saw him snare Sri Lankan pro Thevindu Dickwella for a golden duck.

Alex Bone found some support from Connor Cooke (33), but at 97-5 the visitors were on top.

But a superb stand of 100 with former captain Gary Bone saw them get up and beyond 200 with Alex ending unbeaten on 79 from 113 balls.

Penzance were well-set at 138-3 with debutants Nic Halstead-Cleak (40) and Charlie Sharland (43) going well, but although they departed Grant Stone (26) and Josh Croom (33) were seemingly taking them to victory with just 15 required and four wickets in-hand.

Croom and Stone departed to spinners Mike Bone and Andrew Libby respectively, before Adam Snowdon dismissed Jonny Ludlam and Charlie Hearn off successive balls off the final deliveries of the 48th over.

Reflecting on the Wheal Eliza classic, Wadlan said: “It was a very close game on Saturday which could certainly could have gone either way, but looking back on that game, it’s one that got away.

“I thought Alex (Bone) and Gary (Bone) played the conditions very well and soaked up the pressure, but I thought we bowled fairly well. As a coach/captain you analyse the full game and with 20+ extras, last over going for 21, six penalty runs, we should have restricted St Austell to around 180/190 I think.

“But in saying that we felt 223 with the batting order we got wasn’t out of reach by any means.”

Penzance saw openers Christian Purchase and Jack Paull added 51 in no time, and after continuing to find themselves in the driving seat, somehow contrived to lose.

Wadlan continued: “I thought Paull and Purchase gave us a great platform. Was really happy with how they started and that set the tone for Halstead-Cleak and Sharland to continue the momentum in the middle overs, but ultimately we lost the game at the end of the innings.

“Needing 15 to win with four wickets left with two set batters at the crease was the issue. We should have closed the game out.

“In saying that, we will move forward and be ready to go this coming weekend.”

Penzance welcome promoted Grampound Road on Saturday in a game they will start overwhelming favourites in, but Wadlan isn’t taking anything for granted.

He concluded: “Grampound Road play in a real positive way as they showed on Saturday, and we know we’ll have to be at our best, especially on a good batting surface and quick outfield.”