FORMER New Zealand international Jamie How proved an irresistible force with a staggering 169 not out as Kendal produced a powerful batting display to out-muscle Penrith at Shap Road.

How’s incredible innings was the main contribution as Kendal racked up a massive 307-2 from their 50 overs, with opener Richard Herron adding an excellent 90.

In reply, Penrith amassed an impressive score in their own right, with former Netherfield pair Alex Atkinson and Greg Hall both posting half centuries, as Kendal snared the final wicket with ten balls remaining.

After being invited to bat, Kendal reached 24-0 in the eighth over before Paul Dodds was dismissed, caught by Atkinson off the bowling of Hall for 15.

This united Herron and How at the crease, with the duo batting for the vast majority of the innings and sharing a whopping partnership of 214 – Kendal’s highest of the summer to date.

Herron has not had too much exposure to first team cricket at Shap Road this season but brought up his half century in the 27th over with Kendal well set at 115-1.

The host’s batting prowess continued until Atkinson bowled Herron for 90 in the 44th over – a 139-ball knock which included seven fours.

Kendal added a further 69 in the remaining six overs to end on 307-2 and post a new record for a score at Shap Road.

How finished 169 not as he posted his third century of the summer – his first also came against Penrith – with his 119-ball stay at the crease containing 12 fours and as many sixes.

This knock also returned How to the top of the Northern League Division One batting averages having amassed 542 from 11 innings at 67.75.

Terry Hunte was no shrinking violet either, smashing a six and adding 26 from 19 balls, with Jonathon Osborne, although wicketless, the only bowler to escape punishment with 0-29 from seven overs.

Initially looking for quick runs to keep pace with the Kendal run rate, opener Ryan Carruthers was the more dominant batsman in an opening stand of 28 with Ben Davidson.

Carruthers struck four fours and cleared the boundary rope once on his way to 26 before falling in the fifth over, caught by How off the bowling of Adam Cowperthwaite.

Hall then took the initiative as he and Davidson added 109 for Penrith’s second wicket, playing the more aggressive role as the duo built their partnership.

Davidson reached 32 from 98 balls before edging Darren Nightingale behind to Gary Baker, while next over Parkin bowled Hall for an enterprising 78, which included 13 fours and a six.

After a promising start, the Penrith collapse continued – ultimately losing seven wickets for 48 runs – as Paul Hindmarch became Nightingale’s second victim after scoring a brisk 19.

Penrith’s lower order all failed to make it to double figures with Atkinson proving the mainstay of the latter stages, with a 39-ball 52.

Nicky Burns and Osborne fell cheaply to Nick Lewthwaite and Cowperthwaite respectively, as Atkinson and Tony Threlkeld brought up the Penrith 200.

Kendal required a further four wickets from the final six overs to secure victory, with Nightingale bowling Threlkeld for a ten-ball duck as the home side took regular late wickets.

Cowperthwaite claimed the big scalp of Atkinson – his third victim – before Nightingale bowled Will Tyson next over to leave Penrith 221-9 in the 46th.

Skipper Kriss McLean struck a boundary as the game entered its penultimate over, with Chris Miller taking his first wicket of the match to give Kendal victory, Ryan Martin caught by How for nine.