Cricket Wales U17s boys team will face Lancashire in the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) national one-day final at Kibworth in Leicestershire on Sunday (August 31), after a superb semi-final win over Essex.

The visitors reached 309-9 in their 50 overs at Ebbw Vale, with Sam Pearce (Mid Glamorgan) leading the Welsh attack with figures of 3-40, as well as a catch and run-out.

Wales achieved their target on the first ball of the final over, ending on 311-7.

Three Wales players got their half-century: Gareth Ansell (Gwent) (51), Jack Thorpe-Yon (Gwent) (51) and Keiran Carlson (Cardiff and Vale) (50).

Lukas Carey (West Glamorgan) just missed out – hitting the winning boundary to end the match on 49 not out.

“This is a fantastic achievement by the under-17s,” said Cricket Wales performance manager John Derrick. “They also reached the semi-final of the two-day competition, so this really caps a superb season.”

Cricket Wales is the national governing body for junior and recreational senior cricket in Wales. It works closely with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, which governs the men’s professional game. For information visit www.cricketwales.org.uk