DESPITE losing to Wales Minor Counties by 21 runs, Cornwall topped Group One of the Unicorns KO Trophy to set up a home tie against Berkshire, at Truro, on Sunday June 14, writes Michael Weeks.

However, had Devon beaten Wiltshire and Cornwall scored five runs fewer, they would not have even qualified having ended in third place, such was the closeness of the finish.

Wiltshire recovered from 34-5 in the morning to beat Devon by 46 runs at Warminster.

Cornwall still needed seven off ten balls to edge the Welsh on run rate when number ten Callum Wilson came to the crease.

He hit a couple of boundaries however as the innings closed on 269-8.

Falmouth’s Antony Angove claimed the first wicket, with the score at 35.

The all-rounder was the one change to the side replacing the unavailable Mike Bone.

Michael Clayden followed at 87, with Brad Wadlan taking the wicket.

The spin of Wadlan and Robins then ran through the middle order.

Opener Sam Pearce went for 81, including three sixes and ten fours off 81 balls.

Aneurin Norman followed at 144-6 in the 31st over and Cornwall appeared to be well on top.

Skipper Darren Thomas and Dan Lewis-Thomas had other ideas however as they put on 94 for the seventh wicket, in 12 overs, to turn the game.

Lewis-Williams was bowled by Wilson for 67 and Thomas followed for 29 before 17-year-old Lukas Carey made a lively 34 to see the total to 290-9 in the 50 overs.

Robins took three for 43 and Wilson and Wadlan two for 42 apiece.

Cornwall suffered an early blow losing Matt Rowe LBW to Norman for a single.

Wadlan joined forces with Harvey and the pair put on 116 in 19 overs for the second wicket before Lewis-Williams got the breakthrough bowling the latter for 33.

He then trapped Christian Purchase LBW first ball, but Robins made 29 and when he went at 173-4, in the 32nd over, Cornwall were well in contention.

Wadlan was eventually dismissed for 83, made off 100 balls, that included a six and 12 fours.

Adam Cocking made 16, Angove 19 and Paul Smith 30 before being run out.

The victory target would have been Cornwall’s second highest ever successful one-day run chase.

When it got out of reach the aim was to qualify, and that was achieved in the final over.

Wales MC 290-9 (SJ Pearce 81, DE Lewis Williams 67, LJ Carey 34; ML Robins 3-43), Cornwall 269-8 (BL Wadlan 83, SA Harvey 33, PS Smith 30, ML Robins 29; DE Lewis Williams 3-34).

Wales MC (2pts) beat Cornwall by 21 runs.