Paul Thomas takes 50 in a season - Penrith Cricket Club
Penrith Cricket Club | August 24, 2026
A throwback newspaper article from R15 in the 94/95 season highlighting Paul Thomas taking 50 wickets in 1s, while also highlighting Hawkesbury sweeping their games against Northern Districts. Author and publisher unknown
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Five-win finale but season ends poorly
CRICKET
HAWKESBURY won all five grades — for the first time in its 10 years of grade cricket — in the final round of the season against Northern District last Saturday.
However, it didn’t improve Hawks’ club championship position of ninth.
In first grade, Hawkesbury defeated Northern District by four runs in a cliffhanger at Bensons Lane.
After the Hawks made 4/240, Northern District replied with 236.
With Districts needing five runs to win from the final over, Anthony Kershler took the last wicket — Hawkesbury’s first win in first grade since December 3.
Kershler and Alan Mitchell were the heroes of the win.
Hawkesbury was in early batting trouble when the pair came together at 2/29 and added 125 runs.
Kershler, desperately disappointed at being left out of the State side for the last two matches of the Sheffield Shield season, was promoted to number four in the batting order and hit 75.
Mitchell, who has had a wretched season which saw him dropped for the first time in his career, played a solid role in scoring 97.
Jason Swift scored a late 37 n.o. to pass 500 for the season.
When Hawkesbury bowled, Stuart Dorahy took 5/95, while Kershler’s figures were 3/69.
In second grade, Hawkesbury qualified for the semi-finals with a solid win.
The Hawks scored 9/195 but Northern District could manage only 135 in reply.
Off-spinner Steve Simons was Hawkesbury’s star, taking 6/37, and he is in great form going into the semi-finals.
Leg-spinner Shannon Lane lent good support with 3/36.
Hawkesbury will meet St George in the semis, possibly at Caringbah Oval.
In third grade, Hawkesbury’s four-parts side broke through to win by 217 to 190, highlighted by Steve Milnes top-scoring with 83.
This was probably the last match for stalwarts Terry Jacobs, Bruce Gurney and Hugh McKay after distinguished grade careers, McKay also with Penrith.
In fourth grade, Hawkesbury secured the minor premiership by defeating Northern District through a wonderful fielding effort.
Hawkesbury made 189, while Northern District replied with 142.
Best batting performances came from David Willmott (61) and Joe Allen (45), while the leading wicket-taker was left-arm spinner Andrew Power with 5/42.
In the semi-finals, the Hawks will play University of NSW at Bensons Lane this Saturday.
Hawkesbury also finished in first place in fifth grade and gained a home semi-final against Campbelltown.
The Hawks made 8/247 and dismissed Northern District for only 80.
Damien Alderton’s 60 turned Hawkesbury around, while Slade Munnoch crashed through Northern District’s top order, taking 3/11.
Fast finish for Paul and Panthers
PENRITH spin bowler Paul Thomas became only the fourth bowler in the history of the club to take 50 first grade wickets in a season as the Panthers ended the Sydney grade competition with a resounding win over Balmain at Howell Oval last Saturday.
After setting Balmain 212 for victory the previous week, the fast-finishing Panthers dismissed the Tigers for only 172.
Thomas completed a fine personal season by capturing four wickets to take his tally to an impressive 52.
Fast bowler Stuart Karppinen provided Thomas with great support and his three wickets came at important times through the Balmain innings.
Warren Buttigieg took two wickets and Paul Goldsmith also bowled well for 1/15.
Penrith has finished in a credible ninth place — a remarkable achievement considering that at the end of round five the Panthers were without a win and in last place on the table.
To finish just two wins from the semi-finals after such a poor start augurs well for next season.
In lower grade matches last Saturday, Penrith was well beaten in second grade, won in thirds and had wins in fourths and fifths.
