PENZANCE skipper Brad Wadlan feels his side still ‘have a lot to improve on going forward’ ahead of huge weekend at St Clare.

Tomorrow sees them welcome Wadebridge in the ECB Cornwall Premier League, before attention turns to Sunday’s ECB National Knockout Cup tie with Devon outfit Paignton (both 1pm).

Penzance’s new-look side haven’t quite clicked yet, losing by three-runs at St Austell and scraping out a 15-run success at Helston either side of easing past promoted Grampound Road.

That said they are still second in a tightly-congested table, nine points adrift of Callington who they visit next Saturday.

However, they will need to be better than they were at Helston.

Having been flying along at 63-0, they then found themselves 118-6 and 138-8 before Tommy Sturgess (14) and Jonny Ludlam (25) gave them a decent chance by reaching 174 all-out.

Sturgess then tore through his old club’s batting line-up on the way to figures of 5-21 from 10 lively overs as the Blues slipped to 25-4.

That became 93-7 despite 23 from Mark Jenkin and 16 from Sunny Osmont, but Aussie Harry Saunders found a fine ally in Ryan Tonkin (18) as they reached 133-8 before the ever-dependable Ludlam came back to take out Saunders (58) and last man Liam Frew in the space of two balls.

Wadlan said: “It was another positive result at Helston and a win which strengthens the team morale within the group.

“As a fairly new group of players those wins are more valuable and bring the group closer together.

“We haven’t really fired yet but are still picking up victories which excites me because when we do start firing it will be exciting to watch.”

He also reserved praise for opener Jack Paull who made 41, as well as Ludlam and Sturgess.

He said: “I thought Jack was excellent once again and I’m delighted how he has started this season after the hard work in winter.

“Tommy was outstanding with the ball and really set the tone with those four early wickets, while Johnny Ludlam was the difference with his 25 runs and two key wickets at the end.

“He used all of his experience, but we know we have a lot to improve on moving forward.”

Wadlan wasn’t giving much away about the task ahead this weekend, saying: “We’ve got two home games at St Clare this weekend with Wadebridge and the National Knockout game on Sunday versus Paignton. We know we will have to play good cricket to get the results we want.

“Also, National Cup games are always a great occasion so we look forward to welcoming supporters and spectators to St Clare on Sunday.”