Penn Street vs Lille

Penn Street 302-5 (C. Russell 92, J. Mendy 92; Aditya 1-32) beat Lille 261-8 (Aditya 89; J. Mendy 3-35) by 41 runs

We were delighted to be able to invite our friends from Lille Cricket to Penn Street to reciprocate the wonderful warmth and kindness with which we were welcomed last year when we visited them as part of 100 Not Out.

It was unusual to hear the strains of La Marseillaise ring out over Penn Street early on Sunday morning as both teams assembled for an early-morning photo-call. Lille won the toss, and put Penn St in to bat on what looked like a perfect wicket for batting.

Matt Reavey and Chris Russell made a positive start, with the hundred partnership coming up in 16 overs. Matt looked in fine form, but was unlucky to get out to a superb diving parry and catch by Harshad, a touch of brilliance adjudged Champagne Moment. Chris Russell was hitting his stride though, and raced to 91 off 66 balls with 3 sixes. When he and Steve Exton departed, Tyler Armiger and Jack Mendy took up the charge, Tyler scoring 37 off 25 balls with 3 sixes and Jack a magnificent 92 off a mere 41 balls with 5 sixes.

It looked as if Penn St's total of 302 off 35 overs should be enough, but they hadn't reckoned for Lille's response. First of all Harshad led the response before being run out by an unlikely direct hit from Rob Sutherland. Then Aditya and Mohan (complete with go-pro) took up the baton. Aditya looked as if he might take the match away from Penn Street all by himself, as he accelerated to 89 with 5 sixes before falling lbw to a quick one from Jack Mendy and the slow finger of doom. Mohan, however kept going, and with Flavian batting fluently at the other side Lille were still in with a chance, but as wickets continued to fall, the pressure of Penn Street's total eventually proved too much - but not before Lille achieved their highest ever score as a team.

560 runs in a day, 20 sixes, a feast of entertainment for the many spectators. A splendid way to celebrate President's Day, Penn Street Cricket Club and the Entente Cordiale.

Man of the Match : Ian Jones, for making this special day possible