Penned by Taters -POB in Italics
Outwood is a wonderful little ground not far from Redhill in Surrey.
It was all smiles at the lovely Bell Inn with some old faces and new, but most importantly a bowling attack of both class and distinction, clearly demonstrated by a round of halves and an eagerness to get the whites on. 14.30 came around in a flash and a 35 overs game was agreed, much to the distaste of a few ‘traditionalists’ among the Peckers. Patrick then went on to lose the toss, but gleefully accepted when the opposition skipper put the Peckers in field.
Outwood has seen some great moments including Treas's 1st ton, and he was returning to the fray after a 2 year hiatus. Girdle had some bruising memories and Runky had dealt with a lady who came on the pitch 3 years ago opening with 'My Good Woman' . These three lent some experience to the team and balanced the Young Pecker Tykes nicely/
Cyoungy opened from the top end with some serious pace and great direction, often deceiving and beating the edge of the Outwood openers. Norman was particularly clueless to what turned out to be a two paced pitch and consistently fished at it without any hope of catching anything. SP started from the bottom end and bowled with great rhythm and accuracy, admittedly assisted by some uneven bounce and the unorthodox batting of the chirpy Crawford. SP went onto torment poor Norman, whose technique seemed to wither with his honour, when he refused to walk after an edge that was confused for last orders back in the Bell.
Cyoungy eventually did for Norman, who trudged off with the score at 41 -1. A fine spell of bowling that probably deserved more, finishing with figures of 7-22-1. SP was unlucky not to get a wicket, but managed 6-24-0.0 .Cuddy and Motty then took over, reuniting a bowling partnership from there school days. The effect was devastating, with it eventually accounting for the self-proclaimed ‘streaky’ (if not resilient) Walker and the best part of the Outwood middle order.
There were some fantastic catches taken in this period, firstly by Cousin David (fresh back from episode 2 of Game of Thrones) who snaffled one at square leg after taking a break from snaffling his lovely lady, Tamsin’s chipolata’s … apparently being heard crying ‘Oh Tamsin, you could have left me the bowl darling!?’ Then what must go down in history as one of the great Peckers’ catches from behind the sticks (not a lot to compete with), Big Merv diving to his right, produced a one hander not to dissimilar to Quinton De Kock’s gem of a catch which dismissed Joe Root on the first day of the third test at the Oval. Big Merv, then let slip his secret technique of calming his nerves before the game, which involved asking a young lady outside the Dogstar (a top establishment in Brixton) for a cigarette and then kindly offering to escort her home! Well played ‘Big’ Merv!
Cuddy finished with excellent figures of 4-18-3 and Motty with an extremely economical 4-2-3-1. With Outwood wilting at 60-5, it was the turn of spin twins Runkel and Taters. Who some have likened to the great West Indian partnership between Ramadhin and Valentine, who took 59 wickets between them when England toured in the 1950’s. Runkel was a little on the expensive side, with the oppo captain often tucking in to some of his looping leg spin – , what would Father say? However, Runkel had the last laugh finishing with figures of 7-38-3. Taters did his usual Phil Taylor impersonation, offering firing spitting off breaks down the leg side, much to the dismay of Big Merv. Treas (2-9-0) finished with a couple of overs at the end to keep Outwood to a modest total of 148.
After a lovely tea, with some particularly meaty sausage rolls and a delicious cheeseboard that some of the 'hungrier' Peckers fell upon. Cousin D and Treas strolled out to the wicket. Unfortunately, it wasn’t too long until both walked back scoring a measly one between them – better practice with the bowling machine at 90 mph next time Cousin.
Motty, who seemed to make better use of the bowling machine, then steadied the ship and formed a decent partnership with Taters. Taters came and went in a flash (this is what his ladies say) but was able to add 31 and a lusty flat six before his departure. Taters played a few nice Mavis Pipers, we called for a King Edward and he duly delivered as it sailed high into the woods. Motty went on to score a fine 50… oh wait no, Cuddy clapped him on 48 and the poor bugger was run out by Cyoungy on 49 – better luck next year Motty. Cyoungy went on to reach 30 before being run out himself and poor old Girdle was out LBW without troubling the scorers.
Cuddy and Patrick saw the Peckers home. On the way Cuddy unleashed a couple of his trade mark lofted cover drives (lovely new piece of willow 😉) and Patrick finished proceeding with a glorious square cut for 4.
An excellent day, and a really great bunch of Peckers -well played Lads, and particularly well fielded.Peckers 150-7 beat Outwood 148 by 3 wickets.
Peckers complete with SPs parents, Kiwi Horse and Cappy, Tamsin, and Jim the Umpire
Shylock after called Motty for a very tight one when he was on 49....
Outwood were upset about the loss and Captain Matt about being called a p&^&(k by Runky, but gained compensation in the pool ( the runky didn't help us there either)