IN the 33 years of the competition, Cornwall have never reached the Minor Counties Knock-out Cup Final, writes Michael Weeks.

Finally though this box can be ticked after a memorable run chase at Harpenden in Sunday’s rescheduled semi-final against Hertfordshire.

As if victory by four wickets with nine balls to spare was not enough the manner could hardly have been scripted as Duchy legend Tom Sharp returned to hit a match winning unbeaten century.

Due to unavailability and injury, the Cornish selectors brought back four former stalwarts – and how it paid off.

Needing 270, the innings got off to a bad start as Antony Angove was caught in the second over for a duck.

Stand-in skipper Matt Rowe was caught and bowled and Brad Wadlan caught at cover with the scoreboard reading 16-3 in the sixth over.

After a subdued start, Christian Purchase, 19, hit a couple of sixes but the writing looked on the wall when he was held on the mid wicket boundary at 55-4.

With Neil Curnow a late withdrawal, Gloucestershire-based Dan Davis was drafted into the side to bolster the middle order, two years after his last appearance.

Along with recalled Sharp, Gary Thomas and Gavin Edwards, all made vital contributions.

Davis made 34 to get the innings back on track and Thomas, 13, and Sharp, with just the 300 plus appearances between them, got the total to 156.

A further 114 were still required at nearly eight an over.

However Sharp and Edwards rolled back the years to put together a record Cornish seventh wicket Trophy stand.

Sharp’s first ever one-day century saw him reach 112 not out off 125 balls, with 13 fours.

Edwards cracked 65 not out off 50 balls, which included four sixes.

Earlier, after reaching 67-0 in ten overs, the Herts innings fell away, before George Scott rallied to make 75 not out, which included 29 off the final over.

The Unicorns Trophy final is against Northumberland at Wormsley, Buckinghamshire on Wednesday 26th August at 11am.

HARPENDEN - Hertfordshire 269-8 (GFB Scott 75, EC Ballard 43, BJ Frazer 40, DJ Blacktopp 38; TG Sharp 3-40), Cornwall 270-6 (48.3) (TG Sharp 112no, GD Edwards 65no, DF Davis 34; WVM Jones 3-28, T Sikander 2-28). Cornwall beat Hertfordshire by four wickets.