Space Cadets
Mahesh Shinde (D1 Blue)
To be a Space Cadet is special – we only have 5 or 6 each season so the bar is set pretty high. To be a Space Cadet you need to do something that stands out as being, well, pretty memorable.
So with that introduction we already have our first Space Cadet of the season. To quote directly from Buzz Burrows (D1):
“We’ve all been looking forward to the new season and so excited to get back out on the park.
Diggers won the toss and sent Rogers side into bat.
Out came the openers and Mahesh Shinde looked the business playing the opening deliveries very nicely. It was only when after 4 balls that Buzz and Disco at slip mentioned to our ‘keeper Diggers that the batter was ‘tooled’ up with every piece of protection including helmet. gloves, chest and arm guards but had forgotten to put on his pads!
When Diggers then asked “Mate do you bat without pads” that the penny dropped.
Mahesh was then able to head off and strap on his pads to continue his innings.
Our 1st Space Cadet of the season 🙂”
Sarthak Khatri (D1 Red)
There is something special about young players being asked to do something to help – like putting out the boundary markers when they just get up and do it without any complaints.
The following photo was taken shows Sarthak Khatri (D1Red) proudly putting out the boundary markers at Campbell Park.
The enthusiasm is great. The problem occurred in the execution.
To be fair to Sarthak though, he put them out where our D1 Blue boys asked him to so proper recognition should also go to the Blues.
The photo says it all.
Third Generation
In Round 1 we had our first 3rd generation player back-up for West Penno. Who better than the legendary Bill Peterkin and his son Harry.
The Peterkin family connection goes back 44 years and 3 x generations to:
- Brett (brother) who played B1 to C1 Grades between 1981/82 to 1989/90
- Bruce (cousin) who also played A2 to C2 Grades between 1981/82 to 1986/87
- Ray (uncle) who played C1 Grade between 1983/84 to 1986/87
- Bill (BP) who played A1 to D1 between 1992/93 and 2024/25
The list now includes young Harry Peterkin who debuted in the U12’s this season, taking a wicket in his first over!
To quote BP on finding out about this great achievement:
“That’s a pretty cool stat being 3rd generation!
(My old man would be dancing around celebrating knowing he’s playing!!!)
Wicket first over”
Back to the Future
On 27th September 2025 our Stage 3 Girls side played Kellyville Supersonics in the Parramatta DCA. This means that, for the first time, West Penno is now playing in 3 x Association:
- HK&HDCA – our home Association
- North Shore JCA – our Girls Stage 1 (10 to 12 years); Stage 2 (13 to 14) and Stage 3 (14 to 16)
- Parramatta DCA
What makes this special is that West Penno played our first ever game as a Club in the Parramatta Comp (C1) Vs Westmead, way back in 1930.
We played continuously until 1941 when World Wat 11 caused the competition to cease due to the large number of players having to fight in the War.
Competitions started up again in 1945 and we then started in the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Cricket Association (HKCA) – our home Association ever since.
So a bit of history on 20th September with our Club playing in the Parramatta Comp for the first time in 84 years.
– John Purchase Oval – 20092025
Time Marches on
What better musical interlude to celebrate this achievement that Coldplay’s – Clocks
How good is this story. James Makin, our legendary A1 player and Seniors Director is our most equal capped A1 Captain (8 times Captain) in addition to being our most successful A1 Captain, winning 4 consecutive Premierships. He also holds the Club record of Grand Final appearances with an amazing 20 Finals (11 wins & 9 losses).
Way back in 2012, James was about to lead our A1 side to the first of their record 4 consecutive Premierships.
Just before the 2011/12 Grand Final, the first of our 4 consecutive wins, James had this great photo taken with his wonderfully talented sons – Oliver and Jack.
Fast forward to 2025/26 and Oliver has made his A1 debut (Player # 338) and this week played A1 with James (Player # 187) wearing his own West Penno cap.
Our Dual Representatives
On Tuesday 20/1/2026 the Australian U19s played Japan in a World Cup Pool game at Windhoek, Namibia
For the first time in our history, we had 2 of our Juniors play for an Australian side in the same game. Thinking about it, to have 2 x U19 players in the top 11 Australian players in the country from our Club is an amazing achievement.
How did they go?
Will opened the bowling and took 2/32 from 10 overs and Naden finished with 3/31 off 10 overs. In the next game against Sri Lanka (23/1) Will took 5/14 from 6.3 overs – watch this spot!
Our Latest NSW Representatives
Congratulations to our latest high achievers
Congratulations to our latest high achievers on their selection in NSW sides.
Lauren Kua
Congratulations also to Lauren on her selection in the Sydney Sixers WBBL squad for this season. Lauren is also one of our Club coaches and does a lot of work with our Academy. Well done Lauren.
Corey Brookhouse & Daniel McEwen
Daniel and Cory D1 team this week have been reselected to play for NSW in the National Cricket Inclusion Championships to be held in Perth over 12th to 18th January next year. It is Daniel’s 4th Blues Cap and Cory’s second cap.
Well done Cory and Daniel – we are very proud of both of you.
Exciting to know
One of the best things about playing for West Penno is the chance to go back to the Sports Club after a day’s play and to enjoy our Team-mates company and in some cases rewriting what actually happened.
After the D1 Red washout on the weekend the boys went back to the Club and the unfortunately sitting next to Parin just became too much for Bharga.
What better theme music for this photo than the Wiggles classic – Wake up Jeff (21.09 minutes into clip)
200 Club
On 8th November 2025, Luke Tabone (C4 Blue) scored 200* that included 30 x 4’s and 5 x 6’s (150 runs in boundaries) playing at Montview Oval West.
Only 9 players in our 95 years as a Club have scored a double ton:
1) 225 Kevin Smith 1956/57 (B1)
2) 223 Russel Ingram 2009/10 (C2) Vs Normanhurst-Warrawee @c Mimosa Oval 31/10/2009
3) 215 John Chadwick 1952/53 (C1)
4) 211 Russel Ingram 2009/10 (C2) Vs Mt Colah @ Holland Reserve 5/12/2009
5) 209* Lachlan Edwards 2022/23 (C3 Blue) Vs Kissing Point @ Campbell Park 26/11/2022
6) 205 Rob Gailey (C2) 1991/92
7) 200* Brent Larkham B2 (4/11/2017) Vs Lankan Islanders @ Annangrove Oval 4/11/2017
8) 200* Luke Tabone (C4 Blue) Vs Berowra @ Montview Oval West – 8/11/2025
The Race to 7,000 runs
A couple of weeks ago we did a story on ‘The race to 7,000 runs’ between James Makin (A1) and Michael Banner (A2 Red) – two of our long-term players and great mates who have played a lot of high-level cricket together.
After the latest Round the race became even closer.
Think about this:
- In 95 years and with 528 Seniors Teams entered and around 10,000 players who have worn the Baggy Blue only 2 players have scored 7,000 career runs
- Going into this Round:
- Michael (1997/98 to current) – 6,991 runs (331 innings)
- James (1989/90 to current) – 6,990 runs (401 innings)
So…after a combined 732 innings there is just 1 run separating these great players and both players are just a couple of shots away from cracking the 7,000 runs mark.
So…how did they go on Saturday?
James scored 14 runs and Michael 16*to both break the 7,000-run barrier. Well done boys.
The Warm-up
First up – what better musical introduction that Olivia Newton-John’s classic – Let’s Get Physical
The D2 boys know how to prepare for a match-winning innings – getting physical. Here is a great photo showing Ramil De Silva and Ray Howard working on their core strength before going out to bat.
So…how did they go?
After being helped up from the prone position Ramil hit a rapid fire 11 and Ray a quick 8.
The Empire Strikes Back
Raynaldo Howard (C1) is just 20 years of age and has already scored 5 tons – only 2 tons short of equalling the Club record of 7. Raynaldo is a ‘generational’ player who is on a fast track to much bigger things.
Anyway this story is about Raymond (D2), the Dad who has let Raynaldo take centre stage over the last 3-years.
This all changed on the weekend.
Raynaldo, while always a supporter of his father has been known to be critical of his lack of patience while batting.
Playing C1, Raynaldo got a duck. Enter Raymond. With a previous high score of 43, Raymond dominated the attack of one of the top sides with a powerful 1208* – our 566th century.
With the next game scheduled for 10th January 2026 this gives Raymond bragging rights over the break.
Well done Raymond.
King of the Tossers
We have a proud history of Tossers within West Penno. These are our Seniors Captains who have mastered the art of losing the toss at the beginning of the match.
Last weekend, Agniva Chakraborty (C2 Blue) became our new ‘King Tosser’ (KT for short) after losing his 18th consecutive toss that started in the 2024/25 season. Using simple Probability theory, this equates to a 1:262,144 probability or a 0.0003815% chance of this occurring.
If Agni can extend this to 19 consecutive tosses the probability extends to a 1:524,288 chance or a 0.00019% chance.
So, what is Agniva’s reaction to this amazing achievement:
“This surely makes me feel special. Fortunately Chintan is back this weekend, so I will have to wait for my luck to turn the tides.”
Never to be Repeated
While Records are made to be broken, the accompanying photo is one that may never be repeated. The photo was taken at a Club function that Inducted the inaugural 7 x Club Legends.
Dave Carey (left) and Keith Robinson are both distinguished former Captains. But…they also hold another record – Captains of Teams that hold the Club & Association record for the highest (725 runs) and lowest (4 runs) scores for Teams on the receiving end.
Dave Carey
Dave, Captained our B2 side in the 1991/92 Final (Vs Beecroft @ Parklands Oval, 23rd & 24th March 1991).
As Minor Premier, we won the toss and sent Beecroft in to bat. After being 5/42 and 6/108 at lunch on Day 1 the Beecroft innings closed at Tea on day 2 with the final score of 725. Included in this was a record 7th wicket partnership of 427 with one player scoring 329 and another 212 no.
This remains the highest score ever made in our Association.
Keith Robinson
Keith, Captained our B1 side in the 1967/68 Grand Final (Vs Perseverance @ Campbell Park, 1968).
Batting first, we were dismissed for 4 runs in 47 deliveries – “a well-executed cover drive” by Wally Howard. Keith explained that the collapse was due to ‘Brilliant opening swing bowling plus increasing panic”.
After 59 years, it remains the lowest score by a Senior Team in the Association.
A New A1 Grade Batting Record
Lock it in – we have a new A1 Grade Club batting record. Unfortunately, Jackson Preedy (A1) suffered a Season ending knee injury in the Round 7 game against Berowra. If there is a positive from this it is that at the time of injuring himself, Jackson had scored 267 runs @ 133.5 with a top score of 131*.
To qualify for a Club record there is a minimum requirement of 250 runs. For the Association the threshold is 400 runs.
This means that Jackson now holds the highest A1 Batting average in our History. The previous records were:
| Name | Season | Runs | Innings played | Average |
| Jackson Preedy | 2025/26 | 267 | 5 | 133.50 |
| Matt Barr | 1999/2000 | 405 | 7 | 101.25 |
| Laurie Tuckerman | 1951/52 | 1,361 | 20 | 85.06 |
Matt Barr continues to hold the Association record of 101.25 as he has met the 400-run threshold.
Well done Jackson – a silver lining to a disappointing season.
Sheep Station Trophy – the Ultimate Contest
On 7 February we did a story on the C4 Sheep Station Trophy game between the Blues (Rob) and Reds (Ravi). It was the first time that a Seniors Sheep Station Trophy Semi Final has been played in our history.
This weekend (14th & 15th March 2026) we went one better with our B1 Red (Todd) playing our Blue (Prats) side to make it the first Seniors Sheep Station Grand Final in our history – 96 years in the making!
In the Juniors we have had 12 Sheep Station GF’s. Our latest Sheep Station was played last weekend (8/3/2026) in the U14’s between our Purple & Gold sides. For info, the record in the Juniors is:
- U11s – 2 times
- U12s – 3
- U13s – 2
- U14s – 2
- U15s – 3
- U16s – Nil