Kirston Yearwood can provide the inspiration for a Penwortham promotion push

That is the view of captain Ashley Billington who has been mightily impressed with the overseas amateur since his arrival at the club this summer.

The 21-year-old West Indian has scored 436 runs from 13 games at an average of a fraction under 40.

He was certainly the one bright spark – batting wise – for Pen last weekend as they became the 10th successive victim of runaway leaders Lancaster.

Yearwood scored an half-century – more than half of Pen’s total of 100 all out at Lune Road

And although the bowlers battled valiantly, they could not prevent the hosts’ sealing a four-wicket win and moving 36 points clear of second-placed Great Eccleston.

Billington admitted that it’s going to be every difficult for anybody to stop Lancaster’s title juggernaut but he believes the second promotion spot is wide open.

Pen slipped back to sixth spot in the table, but with Yearwood’s help, Billington sees no reason why his men cannot fight for that second spot.

"It’s the first season we have had an overseas amateur and we have been very lucky with what he’s produced so far,” said Billington.

"More so with the bat so far, than the ball. He has been a very useful bowler to use up top but I think he’s won three or four games for us with the bat.