11/06/2026
Our resident match reporter and scorer Simon Cooper had the pen out for last week’s win against Penwortham…
Take it away, Coops.
Bretherton v Penwortham
Welcoming Penwortham back to the ground this season, it was nice to hear chats about how Bretherton’s facilities have improved since their last visit. Conversations about the bar area and especially the field itself tells us that it has been worth it. Things are only going to get better for Bretherton as an artificial pitch will be installed this coming week.
Also this past week Bretherton held their first cricket legends prize draw. I would like to congratulate the winner who just happened to be myself. Thank you Kevin Pieterson for your cricket career and the £100.
Breaking news!!! Bretherton win the toss and put themselves into bat.
Bretherton’s innings.
They say slow and steady wins the day. Well I hope that’s the case for Bretherton today, because it was slow going. Having been dropped early as in the second over Bretherton’s Jolliffe was living dangerously. With only 7 runs scored after 5 overs, it wasn’t long before Penwortham made up for their earlier mistake and Jolliffe was the first to fall 12-1.
Penwortham found it hard to get another wicket, but were very successful in keeping the run rate down and by the halfway stage it was 54-1 off 20 overs. Thank goodness I had plenty of snacks to keep me busy.
Now every time there is a drinks break, Bretherton seem to lose concentration and a wicket soon falls after the restart. Clarke being the one to lose his wicket. 60-2
Slowly a total was being built, but Penwortham were very good in the field today. Hardly putting a foot wrong, Bretherton laboured for singles. Mackenzie was the next to go, bowled 69-3
Hill was the next to go, but he made sure he smashed a 6. 89-4.
With Bertram still at the crease and steadily scoring and reaching his 40’s, things were turning in Bretherton’s favour, but like so often before, a collapse was inbound.
With the 5th wicket to fall on 114, everything turned in Penwortham’s favour.
With only 11 runs added to the score, and debutant Taylor out for a duck, it was all over as the last 6 wickets fell. Once again Bertram falling in his 40’s, eight runs short of a half century. 125 all out
Deep down it was going to be an uphill struggle to win this game. But you never know…..
Penwortham’s innings
Bretherton would have to start off well here with a low total to defend. And both openers of Frijo and Tricarico didn’t disappoint.
An early opening by Tricarico, spitting the stumps gave Bretherton the perfect start. 4-1
With the batters scoring at a faster pace, Bretherton would have to get the 10 wickets for the win. Again Tricarico who was bowling well, got his 2nd and Penwortham’s attack was halted. 28-2.
Frijo at the other end wanted in on the action. After last week’s disappointing bowling performance, he more than made up for it this week as he got the 3rd wicket. 40-3
This began a period for Bretherton that Penwortham struggled to navigate. Soon after, a great chance was missed to get the 4th wicket when a mix up with the batters left a chance for a clear runout. Not out called by the square leg umpire. So close.
But it didn’t matter in the end as Tricarico got his 3rd of the afternoon with the score still on 40.
Things got worse for Penwortham, because Frijo was also on fire. Two more wickets fell and Bretherton were well on top. 47-6 off only 10 overs.
Penwortham had to slow down and build slowly, and they did. Reaching 66-6 off 15 overs, it soon moved onto 83-6. Bretherton needed a wicket.
With both openers ending their spells ripping through the top order, it was left to Taylor to make up for his duck. Which he soon did as finally the 7th was taken by himself, as he hung onto the ball. 83-7
Bertram having to bowl after using deep heat spray earlier in his innings, he soon added to Penwortham’s problems, grabbing 2 wickets to put the game in Bretherton’s favour. 96-9.
But the game was still close and my nails were ready to be bitten off before Captain Hodgson stepped in and took the last wicket with the help of Sam “safe hands” Conron.
So a 16 run victory for Bretherton, and I left the ground happy seeing both Frijo and Taylor wearing the Duck jacket.
Now the Player of the match was also awarded to Frijo from his fellow teammates for his contribution with the ball. Well done
