Kris Halloran scored an unbeaten 50 to pave the way for his side’s win over West in their first T20 clash and he topscored with 44 in the second game only to see his side throw away the match late and for Adam Penman to produce a “Captain Courageous” effort in the final over.

Needing five runs off the last over to win the second T20 game, North could only score three and lose by a run.

Penman’s off-spinners were almost impossible for the Redback batsmen to hit as they finished 6-112 chasing West Tamworth’s 6-113.

Penman finished with 2-13 from his four overs.

“That was great,” he said, “to do that in the second game. 

“It was a hot day and everyone was a bit tired.

“The first game we missed some chances. 

“The second game we bowled a lot better.”

Julian McGovern, who is bound for Bollington and a stint in English cricket in April, was a standout in both games with his left-arm seamers, taking 2-17 off his four overs in the first game and then igniting the late collapse in the second.

He finished with 2-25 in the second game but lured Halloran (44) into chopping on to gain the vital wicket and two balls later bowling Peter Watson for good measure to set up the final heroics for Penman.

“That was the big wicket,” Penman said of the Halloran dismissal.

In the first game, Matt Kent topscored for West with a good 35 while Penman (22), club president  Anthony Crompton (18), young wicketkeeper Campbell Baker (12) , Mick Moffitt (14) and opener Isaac Kensell (11) all chipped in.

Once again, Adam Greentree (2-19) was spot on, Stu Plant claimed 2-26 from his four and Brad Redshaw also took 2-25.

Leo Steyn’s 1-27 was followed by an unbeaten 14 as he and  Halloran (50no) added 24 to steer the side to a six wicket win.

Earlier, Keyton Hislop (10) had also impressed, forging a 42-run partnership with Halloran and opening bat Glenn Lewington had given the side a good start with 20.

In the second game, West looked like it had not scored anywhere enough runs when restricted to 6-113.

Greentree (1-18),  Plant (2-17) and Peter Watson (3-12) all had good success with the ball.

West started well, with Kensell (15) blazing early and  McGovern (15) and Kent (17) also chipping in.

However the side had slumped to 6-72 when Shaun Stevenson joined Campbell Baker.

Stevenson’s ramp shots were a highlight, delivering three boundaries as he and his teenage teammate put on a vital 39, Stevenson unbeaten on 26 and Baker unconquered on 24.

North was 3-27 but a 56-run partnership between  Hislop (21) and Halloran seemed to have fixed that until McGovern’s 19th over changed the game and Penman’s fourth and final over snuffed the Redbacks out.