Penn Street vs Widmer End

Penn Street 138-10 (M. Bannister 54; G. Newell 2-2, B. Hobbs 2-24, A. Law 2-39) were beaten by Widmer End 139-4 (B. Syed 75; N. Loftus 2-34) by 6 wickets

It was Widmer End’s turn to visit us this year, with the weather holding fair through this glorious April. Chris Fletcher chose to bat on a firm-but-moist-looking pitch, but one on which the batsmen were never entirely comfortable. It was one of these games where the batsmen go in, looked comfortable, and then promptly got our again – Fletch, James Sempill, Rob Sutherland, Alex Piercey and George Rankin all scoring between 7 and 9. Fletch in particular looked in good nick, but would probably want to forget about the shot – or lack of shot – that got him out. Matt Bannister was once again the exception, looking comfortable throughout a patient 54, before falling to a superb catch by M Andrews above his head on the mid-on boundary which also prevented a 6 being scored. Also noteworthy were George Rankin’s 7 and Alex Piercey’s 9 , both personal bests for the club.

138 was a respectable score on the wicket, and after the first two Widmer End wickets fell cheaply there was a glimmer of a chance. But Syed started to strike out, hitting some powerful sixes, until he eventually fell to the guile of Bannister with his well-flighted off-breaks. Highlight of the bowling attack was undoubtedly Will Lewin who was making his Penn Street debut. He bowled three overs which started nervously but became more and more assured as he continued. He looks a very promising talent.

However, with Syed and Andrews digging in and accelerating the scoring rate, the score of 138 on the drying pitch wasn’t enough, and Widmer End eventually ran out comfortable winners by 6 wickets.

Man of the Match - Matt Bannister