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10th May v Aston Unity (home)
The visit of Aston Unity to mount road was an important step in our season; in previous years we had found it difficult to string two positive results together and new that another win would, following our opening day success, would put us in a very healthy position in the league.
We lost the toss and were asked to field, a move that enabled us to gain the maximum 24 points  should we win.
Richard Kimberlin was entrusted with the new ball due to Danny Smith being absent for this weekend and produced another fine spell. He removed their opener and was unlucky not to add to his wickets tally; he eventually finished with figures of 1 for 24 off 6 overs.
Depesh Patel toiled, on what was a batsmens wicket, and picked up 2 wickets. But for a dropped catch, off their batsmen who finished on 94, this would have been 3 wickets for 'the big dipper'.
We constrained Aston Unity, who were finding runs hard to come by, thanks mainly from a fine spell of bowling from Richard Brooker and 'new boy' Mani Patel. Rich finished with figures of 1 for 37 from 15 overs and Mani 3 for 42  from 12.5 overs. We also later found out that Rich is a gun when it comes to dowing a pint, bottle and shot in succession; something that will hold him in good stead this season.
Unity came to a halt on 203; a decent, competitive score but on a good wicket we always fancied our chances.
Openers Sandeep Dhillon (39) and Depesh Patel (23) gave us a steady start however we needed some impetous into the innings. Lee 'dr pepper' Nightingale (whats the worst that can happen) obliged and promptly scored an effortless 57, solidly supported by John Homer (32). However both batsmen got out at the wrong time and a mini collapse saw us still needed more that 20 off the final 5 overs.
A clinical innings from Nick 'strawberry blond' Hudson (23*) and a breezy 14 not out from Nikul Lal saw us to victory with an over to spare, prompting celebration around the ground.
 
Penn 24 points
 
p.s no man can drink a yard of dr pepper. Kids please don't try it

Sun 4th May 2008 v Ludlow (Cup)

 
Sunday saw us having to make the long journey to Ludlow with the fear that a ball wouldn't even be bowled due to the rain. When we arrived the clouds promptly cleared and the game was underway.
Captain, Nick Hudson, won the toss and Penn were bowling first for the second time in the weekend.  A run out and 2 wickets for Danny Smith saw Ludlow slump to 14 for 3 and they never really recovered. Good bowling from Andy Reynolds, Richard Kimberlin and Richard Brooker saw Ludlow dismissed for 139.
Nick Benwell hit a breezy 24 and Richard Kimberlin (14) showed class and promise with the bat. Lee Nightingale bludgeoned a no nonense 40 and it was left to Andy Reynolds (38*) and Arvinder Bhogal (6*) to steer us home with 7 wickets and 17 overs remaining.
Another good result and we go through to the second round on May 18th away to Shifnal.

Sat 3rd May 2008 v Berkswell

 
Our First Birmingham Leahue match of the season took us away to Berkswell, a ground on which we had suffered a heavy defeat, the previous season. We were looking to start with a positive result but knew that this would be a tough ask with many key and influential batsmen missing. It did however give a chance to other players to show that they have what it takes at our clubs highest level.
Stand in captain John Homer won the toss (2 out of 2) and decided to bowl. The first victim of the season came from the bowling of Danny Smith after a fine piece of swing bowling. Penn were firmly on top and Berkwell stuttered to 65 for 3 from 27 overs until the first bowling change was made. Particular credit must firstly be shown to Depesh who bowled for 19 unchanged overs and Danny who bowled 13 overs without a break.
The first change bowlers of Richard Brooker and Richard Kimberlain bowled exceptionally well and the pressure was never released throughout their entire innings. Particular praise must go to Richard Kimberlain who firstly dismissed the highly dangerous Dominic Oslter and finally finished with figures of 3 for 5 from 5 overs, whilst Richard Brooker claimed 2 for 37.
New acquisition Andy Reynolds claimed 2 wickets for 11 runs and the Berkswell innings ended 144 all out.
Chasing a low target we got off to a bad start losing our openers (Depesh and Lee Nightingale) and number four and five (Brooker and Jimmy Grosvenor) in quick succession. Overseas player John Homer (53) looked determined to stick around and needed someone to fight with him. Arvinder Bhogal proved to be the turning point for Penn. Having been bowled off a no-ball he went on to score a majestic 60 and put us in the position to claim our first win of the season.
However a mini collapse left us needing 7 to win with 1 wicket remaining and the atmosphere was tense when Danny 'deckchair' Smith glided to the wicket. He duly carressed his second ball through mid-wicket for 4 and then 'placed' his third ball between 1st slip and the wicket-keeper for another 4 to win us the game.
 
A great start to the season - Penn 20 points
  

26/4/08 - 1st XI Home v Fordhouses (Friendly)

 
Stand in  captain, John Homer, won the toss on a cloudy day at Mount Road and decided to insert our local rivals.
 
The first 16 overs saw some very economical bowling without any reward from Depesh Patel and Danny Smith; however it wasn't until young Richard Kimberlain got the ball in his hands that in roads were made into the Fordhouses line up. He removed both their opening batsmen and eventually finished with figures of 3 wickets for 34 runs from his 9 overs.
 
This match also saw the debut of Richard Brooker for Penn's first team having previously been at Old Hill. He bowled a fine spell and will be a huge advantage for the forthcoming Birmingham League campaign. His well controlled leg spin guided him to impressive figures of 3 wickets for 28 runs from 8 overs.
 
Fordhouses were eventually dismissed for 137 from 39.5 overs; Depesh Patel with figures of 1 wicket for 20 runs from 6.5 overs, Danny Smith 1 wicket for 9 runs from 8 overs, John Homer 1 wicket for 39 runs from 9 overs! Richard Kimberlain 3 wickets for 34 runs from 8 overs and Richard Brooker 3 wickets for 28 runs from 8 overs.
 
On a tricky wicket a good opening stand was required to make the win comfortable; this was duly given from Depesh Patel (52) and John Homer (24). However the loss of some quick wickets and a couple of needless run outs gave some life back to Fordhouses. It needed a cameo innings from Lee Nightingale (36*), who typically won us the match with a 6, to steer us to our first victory.
 
A good start to the season but a few areas need to be worked on in training before the Berkswell and Ludlow matches this weekend.
 

 


2007 Match reports