CORNWALL Over 50s Seconds are through to the national semi-final after a remarkable three-wicket victory at their Essex counterparts on Wednesday afternoon.

The hosts racked up a hefty 283-5 from their 45 overs at Hutton CC, but the visitors, led by Neil Spencer’s unbeaten 67 and a rollocking 30 not out from Simon Johnson, passed their target with three balls to spare.

Earlier, Cornwall were on the back foot after Essex chose to bat as opener Steve Ward smashed the bowling to all parts in his 91 from 74 balls.

The rest of the middle-order – led by Ian Elliott’s 45 – then provided the late fireworks as only Adrian Berry (1-40) and Johnson (1-43) kept the runs down.

The Duchy slipped to 78-3 despite starts from Jim Maunder (29) and Adrian Pooley (30), but Spencer then provided the perfect glue in his 79-ball knock which saw stands of 63 and 74 respectively with Andre Otto (43) and Alex Johnson (48), before Berry’s 16 off nine kept up the momentum.

But at 252-7 with only 21 balls remaining, the hosts were in command, that was until Johnson thrashed three fours and as many sixes, which left the hosts shocked and Cornwall into a national semi-final at their Yorkshire counterparts on Wednesday, August 19.

Cornwall’s fine summer also continued on the same day as the over 50s’ thirds reached the Plate semi-final by seeing off Warwickshire Fourths by 66 runs at St Blazey.

Seventies from Adrian Warne (78) and Simon Harrison (76) set the platform for Charlie Cole to smash 58 from just 31 deliveries as the Duchy racked up a huge 316-7 from their 45 overs.

The Midlanders gave the chase a good go despite losing early wickets, but were never up to the rate as Peter Pretorious (3-53) and Brian Dunstan (2-56) shared five wickets. Andy Thomas (1-39) and Michael Cockings (1-31) gave little away.

The first team’s season ended on Sunday as they were hammered by 200 runs by Somerset at Minehead in their Cup last 16 tie.

Somerset racked up 290-4 before the Duchy were all out for just 90 in reply, 24 of which came from opener Andy Birkett.