03/09/2026
1st XI sponsored by - Decca Plastics Ltd
The first part of a bank holiday double for Nathan Walmsley’s Penwortham 1st XI was a Middleforth Green meeting with Carnforth.
The skipper called correctly and inserted Carnforth, the visitors putting 44 on for the opening wicket before slipping to 57/3 with Martlet sub-pro, Kieren Grimshaw bagging 2-32.
Carrot-topped cattle prodder, Charlie Parker seized the initiative for Penwortham with a superb ten over stint of 5-40, including the key wicket of Carnforth skipper, Ryan Nelson for 37 with Nathan (2-54) helping to wrap up the visitors’ innings for 173.
In a rain affected chase, Captain Nathan (29) and his trusty vice, Robbie (24) combined for a 57-run stand but the Martlets were on the ropes at 60/3 shortly after 40 off four overs was set as the rain relented, Jaco Beneke (3-20) snaffling the former pugilist, Robbie.
Kieren proved the difference for Penwortham, a brutal unbeaten 31 off 20 (three fours and two sixes) securing a dramatic victory. With two required from the final delivery of what had become a 24 over chase, ‘Grimmy’ clubbed his second six amid jubilant celebrations at Middleforth Green, as the 1st XI moved into the top half of Northern League Division Two.
Regular skipper Matty Ward was back in the hot seat for Penwortham 3rd XI, as they travelled to The Green to face Wrea Green in a vital PS Division Three fixture.
The hosts called correctly and asked the 3rd XI to wield the willow, opening bowler James Honeyford (2-71) bagging two wickets including Clark Storry for a well-made 22 to leave Penwortham 63/2.
From there on, it was all Penwortham.
A magnificent, unbroken partnership of 148 between Aniket Sen, who made batting look like horseplay, striking a mesmeric, maiden century (100*) and a 43-ball, 64* from the ever-classy Tom Nowlan prompted Toronto’s finest, Matty to declare at the 30-over mark on 211/2.
In another rain-affected fixture, Wrea Green were reduced to 50/3 thanks to Chandan Jayanna (2-17) and a sharp piece of work from kooky ‘keeper, George Bailey to force a run-out.
Rain returned after sixteen overs and threatened to deny Ward’s Wonders of a deserved victory but thankfully, the heavens relented, and the 3rd XI were able to secure a vital 19-run win in their bid to preserve Division Three status, Green finishing on 88/3 from 22 having been set 108.
Penwortham 4th XI made the short trip to Chapel Lane for a local derby with promotion contenders, New Longton 2nd XI in PS Division Six.
A 20-over contest was agreed upon with New Longton asking Chris Addison’s men to bat first. A barnstorming 41 from just 21 from opener, George Hill, which included three fours and four sixes and a run a ball 26 from George Bowdler helped Penwortham post 103 all out, Dave Fortune taking 3-6 from five for the hosts.
‘Bowsa’ continued his fine all round game by taking 4-22 off five but New Longton made it to their target off the last delivery, Fortune hitting a match-winning, unbeaten 49 to deny the 4th XI.
The Bank Holiday weekend was rounded off on Monday with another Middleforth Green fixture for Nathan Walmsley’s Penwortham 1st XI. Promotion chasing Euxton were the visitors and they were asked to bat first.
Josh Tolley set the tone at the top of the order, hitting 49 with skipper James Bone making an excellent 81 as the Balshaw Park men racked up 276/9-a total boosted by a late innings 51 off 45 from Sri Lankan test star, Nishan Peiris.
Kieren was the pick of the Martlets’ attack with figures of 3-72 with Trigonometry terror, Isaac Roberts (2-46) and the two Nathans, Elliott (2-54) and Walmsley (2-66) also in the wickets.
Despite the early loss of Captain Nate in the chase, a partnership of 114 between Robbie (62) and Blitz bandit, Matt Halliday (68) had Penwortham well placed but Peiris swung the game Euxton’s way with a spell of 4-52, Nathan’s side slipping from 154/2 to 184/7.
Former Lancashire all-rounder, Josh Boyden (3-41) saw off the tail as Penwortham were all out for 216 as Euxton secured a 60-run success.
Credit - Christopher Robert Newcombe
