FOR the first time since 1998, Garstang entered a Sunday league team. However, chosen captain Mark Winstanley fell injured on the Saturday fixture, resulting in the team being led by Ian Walling, who, won the toss and elected to bat on a cold Sunday afternoon.
Garstang however, suffered early blows with both Mark Walling and Gary Fawcett both falling for just 4, leaving the home side 22-2.
After a breezy 42 not out on Saturday, veteran Andy Walling was next to fall for 22 which brought Phil Berry to the crease at 37-3. Together, with Mark Bateson the pair re-built the innings adding 71 for the 4th wicket before Bateson eventually fell for a patient 20.
A comical run out sent captain Walling back to the pavilion for just 9 and when two further quick wickets fell, Garstang were in trouble at 147-7.
Berry on the other hand, demonstrated power and patience in putting together a match-winning innings of 70 before he was eventually out caught and bowled.
Dan Curwen (5) soon followed and the score of 159-9 seemed par. However, it wasn't over. Teenagers Stuart Winstanley (11 not out) and Tyler Ibbotson (12 not out), who are both known as 'rabbits', put on a crucial unbroken last wicket partnership of 22 to take the total to 181-9 from the allotted 45 overs.
In chase of 182, Penwortham made a slow start before the introduction of Mark Bateson (7-0-24-2), in the 11th over brought the first wicket (24-1).
Tyler Ibbotson (6-3-7-2) then struck with his very first ball to remove opener M.Brierley for 26 at 42-2. Most of Penwortham's batsmen got themselves in but none passed 30 with captain G.Parkinson (29) coming closest.
In the end the innings petered out with Penwortham finishing on 151-8, 30 runs short.
The other wickets fell to youngsters Lewis Johnson (6-1-25-2) and Nick Webster (9-1-28-1) whilst a rare happening occurred when Andy Walling took a wicket in the final over, to claim the bragging rights over his son, Ian, who finished wicketless!