Cricketers chalk up third Sydney Grade Club championship victory

Penrith  Cricket Club celebrated winning the coveted Sydney Grade Club Championship when their second grade side ­defeated Blacktown at Howell Oval.

Penrith Cricket Club first grade batsman Matthew Hopkins hits a four on his way to making 51 runs against Blacktown. The 50-overs match was played at Joe McAleer Oval on Saturday, March 12.

Penrith  Cricket Club celebrated winning the coveted Sydney Grade Club Championship when their second grade side ­defeated Blacktown at Howell Oval.

Coach Michael Wholohan said the club members celebrated the victory on Saturday evening at the centre of Howell Oval.

The club championship is made up of results from the preliminary rounds of all grade teams including under -21 and under-16 completions.

A great season of cricket: Bankstown’s David Lozinski bowls to Penrith’s Matthew Hopkins during a match in February.

Penrith won the Sydney Smith Cup after accumulating 1303 points.

“It’s only the third time the club has won the Sydney Grade Club Championship,” Wholohan said.

“We won in the 2008-2009 season and in the 1982-1983 season.

“It’s a difficult competition to win.

“The championship came down to the second grade game where our team won by 10 runs. We defended a small total of 170 against Blacktown at Howell Oval and it was a nailbiter.

“If second grade had lost on Saturday we would have finished second by two points to Sydney Tigers.’’

At McAleer Park in Blacktown, Penrith first grade lost to the hosts after batting first and scoring 198.

Luke Morrissey and Matthew Hopkins put up a good partnership, with Hopkins scoring 51 and Morrissey 50 under challenging conditions in the 50-overs match.

“We did well to score 198 but Blacktown won with five wickets down,” Wholohan said.

Penrith’s Patrick Jackson bowling in a match against St George in September.

■ On Saturday all Penrith matches in the Sydney grade competition start 10am. In the first grade league competition Penrith play Campbelltown in the elimination semi-final at Howell Oval on Saturday and Sunday at 10am.

■ Second Grade: Penrith v Sydney University at Blacktown International Sports Park 2.

■ Fourth Grade: Penrith v Eastern Suburbs at Bill Ball Oval.

■ Metro Cup SF: Penrith v UNSW Black at Rance Oval.