ANYONE facing Penzance this term will face a pace barrage as the ECB Cornwall Premier League champions look to make a storm both locally and on the national stage.

The St Clare outfit won the Cornish treble last term, but failed to progress to the latter stages of both the ECB National Club Twenty20 and ECB National Club Championship.

However, they look a good bet to do so this time. Wales Minor Counties player-coach Brad Wadlan is back to lead the club following the departure of star batsman Ben Seabrook to Australia, while a host of signings have arrived from both sides of the Tamar.

Nic Halstead-Cleak arrives from Bristol, where he averaged nearly 52 in 140 games, having struck 123 against Glamorgan for Cardiff MCCU in pre-season, while exciting all-rounders Charlie Sharland (Bridgwater) and Tom Hazell-Evans are also involved, the latter having moved to the area.

Pakistani pace bowler Mehran Sanwal, who took 57 wickets from just 12 games during his debut First Class season for Bahawalpur, is the overseas professional and will form a frightening pace quartet alongside Josh Croom and Cornwall duo Tom Dinnis and Tommy Sturgess, the latter who re-joined the club on Monday from Wargrave.

Left-arm spinner Charlie Hearn has made the move from Helston and took 3-41 at Bristol on debut.

There have been several departures with all-rounder Dan Lello and left-arm spinner Andrew Libby returning to Hayle and St Austell respectively amongst those, but Penzance look a good bet to go far.

Wadlan, 36, who is also a Level Four coach, feels they are ready.

He said: “I think the club is in a very strong position and the players have learned how to win games and trophies over the last seven or eight years.

“I think for me it will be about getting the team motivated and driven to continue the successes they have achieved in recent years. New players and fresh faces certainly will create that. Players taking ownership of performances will be another big factor.”

Penzance won a fourth Premier League title in the last five completed seasons last summer, plus the Vinter and WT Edwards Cup crowns, but Wadlan knows it’s nationally where he’ll be judged.

He said: “The goal is always to keep winning and making finals. Teams who are successful are always being hunted down and I have no doubt this will be the same this summer. You earn the right to have pressure on your shoulders but our players will be used to this and will be fully aware of the standards required.

“The ECB national competitions are also something we want to take very seriously, Both 40-over and T20. Think with the signings we have made, there is no reason why we can’t have a good run in these competitions. You need a bit of luck when playing the best teams from around the UK, but we’re looking forward to welcoming Cornwood in the second-round of the ECB National Club Championship on May 11.”

Wadlan last played for Penzance back in 2018, before joining Swansea, but expects some decent competition.

He said: “It’s great to see clubs improving and signing strong overseas players. New players coming into Cornwall will make the league and standard stronger and the successes of the Cornwall National Counties in recent years shows the county and league is in a good place.

“Callington have made some excellent signings so it will be good to see them competing strongly, and the one thing that stands out from memory was clubs were very hard to beat on their home grounds. So no doubt that will be the same this year.”

Wadlan’s side will face an acid test when they visit St Austell who have outlined their own title ambitions in pre-season.

The Saints have a decent record against Penzance at Wheal Eliza in recent seasons and Wadlan knows it won’t be easy.

He said: “We know St Austell on their own patch are a really good team and being led by their new captain Alex (Bone), I’m sure they’ll be ready.

“They are an experienced side with Mike (Bone) and Gary (Bone), plus a strong overseas, so I’m sure it’ll be an exciting game.”

Penzance Seconds, who have seen spinner Giles Lawrence retire from the first team to take the role, start life after relegation with a home clash against Stithians in Division Two West on Saturday, while the thirds host St Just Fourths at Goldsithney CC.

Wadlan also feels off-field improvements will help.

He concluded: “The club as a whole is in a strong place with lots of sponsorship with local companies and businesses secured. The club has a number of functions booked in throughout the summer and has had a huge upgrade inside.

“Kim (Pentecost) and Daryl (Pentecost) have worked extremely hard to get everything ready for a busy summer.

“The ground has been kept in great condition by Jamie Stevens (Wibbs) so it’s just a case of getting the season started on Saturday, which no doubt every cricketer in the county will be buzzing for.”