PENZANCE skipper Brad Wadlan hailed a ‘near-perfect performing weekend’ as the West Cornwall club enjoyed back-to-back victories.

On Saturday a superb bowling performance helped them to a two-wicket success at previous leaders Redruth in the ECB Cornwall Premier League, a result which saw them leapfrog the Reds in the process.

Afterwards they were straight up the A30 and M5 to Golden Hill in Bristol for their last 32 clash in the ECB National Club Championship and eased to victory by eight wickets in pursuit of 215 thanks to Christian Purchase’s scintillating 153 not out.

Wadlan was without left-arm speedster Josh Croom for both matches and opening bowler Tommy Sturgess against Redruth, but club legend Giles Lawrence provided fine spells of off-spin bowling on both days.

Wadlan told the Voice: “The bowlers as a group were outstanding once again against Redruth and Golden Hill, carrying on the momentum built from Callington and Werrington in previous weeks.

“Batting was tough at Redruth and they bowled very well. We were 83-3 at drinks chasing 126, so felt in a solid position, but some poor shots and accurate bowling in the end saw us get over the line with just two wickets left.”

While batting was far easier at Golden Hill on a small ground, Wadlan hailed Purchase for his remarkable hundred.

He said: “We made up for Saturday’s batting on Sunday with an incredible display from Christian with 153 not out off just 91 balls.

“That broke the back of the chase and we chased 215 down in just over 28 overs, losing just two wickets in doing so.

“We knew it would be a big weekend and to come out with near-perfect performances is very pleasing.”

Such is the schedule at the moment when competing on all fronts, Penzance are back in action this evening when they take on Truro at Redruth in the semi-final of the Vinter Cup (6pm), and Wadlan hopes his side remain on course for a quintet of trophies.

He concluded: “For tonight’s game we have decided to stick with the same side that beat Redruth in the quarter-final.

“Having been at Redruth on Saturday, it gives us good information on how the pitch might play, and this is a competition we take very seriously and want to push on and compete at a national level.

“We’ve started to really pick up in the last couple of weeks and now have a number of players have hit form just at the right time, so we’ll be doing all we can to book another Vinter Cup final in the diary.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting game in front of a good crowd.”

PENZANCE v Truro: Christian Purchase, Brad Wadlan (capt), Charlie Sharland, Grant Stone, Jack Paull (wkt), Matt Stevens, Jonny Ludlam, Mehran Sanwal, Tom Dinnis, Giles Lawrence, Charlie Hearn.