23 July 2026

Emma won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Stainton in. What followed was, by common agreement, Penrith's best all-round performance of the season. It finished Stainton's way on runs scored, 119 to 102, but a 17-run gap, with Penrith competing to the final over, tells you plenty about how far this team has come.

Stainton scored 119 across their 20 overs. Penrith never let their heads drop.

A committed fielding effort

Penrith kept chipping away and sharing the load in the field. Emma, Millie, Erin and Emily each claimed a wicket, and the pick of the attack was Steph, who gave away just 8 runs from her three overs and never let the batters settle. Emma was tight too, one wicket from her three overs for 9. The wides crept up, as they do at this level, but the effort in the field and the willingness to keep coming forward set the tone for the reply.

A reply to be proud of

Penrith scored 102 in reply, batting all the way through to the final over and taking the game deep. The innings had backbone. Tallis anchored it, facing more balls than anyone, exactly the kind of steadying knock a run chase needs.

The standouts, though, were Ella and Erin. Both batted superbly, but it was the running between the wickets that caught the eye, turning ones into twos and never letting the score stall. That kind of pressure on the fielding side is worth as much as the boundaries, and it kept Penrith in the hunt long after the game might have drifted away. Millie added to it with a busy 24-ball stay and a couple of well-struck fours, and there was good defensive judgement when the situation asked for it.

102 in the end, 17 short on runs. Taken right to the wire, it was the day this side played its best cricket. No trophy for it, but a performance to build on.

The figures
Toss: Penrith won and elected to bowl
Runs scored, Stainton Women XI: 119 (20 overs)
Runs scored, Penrith Women XI: 102 (20 overs)
Wickets: Emma, Millie, Erin and Emily one each
Tightest spell: Steph, 3 overs for 8

A good night's cricket. Onto the next one.