PROFESSIONAL Paul Hindmarch starred with both bat and ball to propel Northern League new boys Penrith to an opening day win and ruin Jamie How’s century-making return to England.

Right-arm seamer Hindmarch posted figures of 7-32 as Kendal were bowled out for 228, with former New Zealand international How smashing a 112-ball 119.

Hindmarch, Ryan Carruthers and Alex Atkinson all made solid contributions with the bat as Jonathon Osborne guided Penrith home with two balls remaining despite Chris Miller’s five-wicket haul.

Darren Moore was Hindmarch’s first victim, with fellow opener Ben Harrison caught behind by Kieron Trevaskis off the bowling of Angus Carruthers to leave Kendal 27-2 off 13.1 overs.

Former Burneside batsman Ryan Shepherd then joined How at the crease and shared a stand of 102 runs inside 19 overs – the highest partnership of the game.

How was the main aggressor and brought up his half century in the 20th over with the Shap Road club 105-2 at the halfway stage.

The 32-year-old was unbeaten on 80 when Shepherd was trapped lbw by Liam Trevaskis for a patient 21, with Terry Hunte the next man in.

How’s assault on the Penrith attack continued as he reached three figures in the 36th over, with the duo edging the Kendal score towards the 200-mark.

Hunte – Kendal’s leading run-scorer last summer with 492 – had cleared the ropes and progressed to 22 by the time he was snared by off-break bowler Karanjit Bansal.

Five balls later, Penrith made the crucial breakthrough as Hindmarch bowled How for an exhilarating knock of 119 which included 13 boundaries and seven sixes.

Angus Carruthers bore the brunt of the How innings – returning figures of 1-74 off ten overs – although Kendal had lost two principal batsmen in quick succession with the score 197-5.

With less than ten overs remaining, Hindmarch came to the fore and claimed the five remaining wickets as Kendal added just 31 further runs, with Gary Baker left stranded on 20.

In reply, the visitors made an early breakthrough as skipper Stu Parkin dismissed Bansal caught and bowled, with former Netherfield batsman Atkinson joining forces with Ryan Carruthers.

The duo combined to great effect until Miller secured the much-needed breakthrough, bowling Carruthers for a 56-ball 49, which included five boundaries and two sixes.

Atkinson looked in the mood, clobbering four sixes in a knock of 40 before being caught by Hunte off the bowling of Parkin – who finished with 2-30 off ten.

And when the off-spin of Miller accounted for Greg Hall for just five, Kendal appeared to have wrested some initiative in the game with Penrith 115-4 off 28.4 overs.

During the next 11.4 overs, Hindmarch and Ben Davidson added 46 runs until the latter was bowled by Miller, with Penrith requiring a further 68 from 10.2 overs with five wickets remaining.

Liam Trevaskis was trapped in front by Adam Cowperthwaite for a quick-fire 12, while Hindmarch fell caught and bowled to Miller for 47 off 61 balls.

Hindmarch’s knock was pivotal following the loss of Carruthers and Atkinson, although the hosts still required 31 runs off 4.3 overs.

Osborne then took centre stage, remaining calm to clear the boundary ropes twice and hit two fours, leaving Penrith needing five off the final over.

After four runs were taken off the first two balls, Miller dismissed Kieron Trevaskis who holed out to Moore, although Osborne steered Penrith to victory with two balls left.