On a hot Sunday afternoon at the start of August the residents of Marlow were set to be treated to the Woodpeckers annual game. The ground is located in the busy park with plenty of spectators overlooking the River Thames and a small clubhouse/bar serving excellent pints of IPA by the The Marlow Brewery.

Unfortunately, when the Peckers arrived at 12.30 sharp after being forced into a detour due to works on the M4, we learnt that the bar would not be opening until 2.30. This was clearly factored into the Captains decision to bowl first on what seemed a very good batting track. The Peckers team, a mixture of older residents and some new faces eagerly entered the field with the new ball going to the feline combination of Tiddles and Cat.

In the first few overs of the game Marlow raced forward to 30 off the first 4 overs with the Peckers still finding their radar, there was a single chance dropped off Tiddles bowling by Milky who was clearly waiting for the whole family to arrive before showing his skills off. Following these first 4 overs the Peckers clicked into action and Cat produced one of the fastest and most aggressive spells of opening bowling witnessed this season, this was perhaps due to his rose fuelled Saturday night and also his tour of the Cricket Grounds of Marlow before the match. The first wicket quickly fell to him with the opener edging behind to the wicketkeeper Badger. Following this, the new batsman departed soon after having had his stumps adjusted by Cat (an impressive 2-14 off his 8), with Tiddles at the other end, perhaps not at his usual consistent best. The opening bowlers continued until the 16th over and Marlow were 60 for 2.

The spinners then came to the fore with the Baron ‘s lofters, tossed like Bavarian hand grenades accompanied by Taters quicker flatter offies at the other end. The runs remained tough for the Marlow batsmen who dug in and in the middle overs of the game the run rate continued to be kept down, there were two wickets for Baron during his 8 over spell (2-33) as the Number 4 batsman edged behind to Badger (super keeping display by Badger) and the opening batsman was caught LBW trying to heave the ball into the crowd. Tactical advice was flying round the field with Cannon inserting himself into a short mid-wicket position eagerly awaiting the ball, unfortunately when the ball did end up flying into his kill zone Cannon went the wrong way and ended up on the floor.

After 28 overs Malow were 133 for 4 with Henners (2-38 off 6) and Cuddles ( an excellent 1-9 off 4) given the difficult task of finishing off the innings. Luckily for the Peckers however Milky’s family had arrived and he proceeded to take a very good catch at mid on off Henners bowling. Full of confidence, Milky then was given the ball for a cameo over and he managed to take a wicket. The Marlow Number 5, a Trini-Posse Dave Noray batted well and remained at the crease throughout this period for 85 not out, pushing the Marlow total to 220 for 7 off their allotted 40 overs.

After a quick Covid lunch full of Subway Cookies kindly provided by Cuddles, the Peckers openers of Badger and Cannon took guard to face the Marlow opening bowlers. Cannon unfortunately departed soon after leaving the Peckers 1 for 1. Cuddles and Badger managed to wear the new ball down a bit more however Cuddles then received a peach of a delivery which removed his off stump. Badger at the other end kept the scoring going but departed in the 8th over for 28. This brought together Henners and Tatters, with the Peckers 33 for 3 the Marlow fielders were buzzing and on top. They were soon brought crashing back down to earth by the onslaught that followed by the two batsmen at the crease. The ball was hit to all parts of the ground as Henners and Taters were competing to see who would win the “Universe Boss” (Chris Gayle) award for the best batsman who also bowls occasional off spin. The Peckers moved very quickly forwards with these two batsmen entertaining the Marlow residents who were soon forced to watch the cricket as a personal safety precaution with the ball being hit all over the park.

With the score at 155-3 off 23 overs the Peckers were cruising towards another victory however unfortunately Henners was run out in the unluckiest fashion for 74 with the bowler deflecting a Taters Drive onto the stumps . Taters then fell for 43 much to the dismay of his travelling family of supporters Spud, Maris Piper and Crisp Tina. POB was the next in and with 40 required off the last 12 overs the Peckers kept the run rate going with POB pushing a number of quick singles and a few driven boundaries. When Milky was bowled (8) and Mr Skinner also skittled soon after the Peckers still required 27 off 7 overs.

Our last 3 batsman had all been bowled so I tried to impress upon my partners that we only needed 4 an over and could defend the straight balls and score off others. Cat (9) followed the suggestion for a while before trying to drive a straight one and being bowled. Tiddles was restrained for a while and we got within 4 of the target with 8 balls to spare…Skipper Derek Goosen looped a straight one and Tiddles head came up as he tried to heave it into the Thames, and was bowled. Never fear the Baron was coming out and only had to face one ball in the over. I was sure he would show his trademark forward defensive. Henners on the sideline confidently declared that he had never seen the Baron get out . Goosen bowled an identical delivery and Baron tried a flailing Cowdrey-esque drive and was bowled neck and crop. Marlow Park were in raptures having pulled off a remarkable comeback and I was left bemused and stranded like Custer at the non-strikers end (21*). Marlow Park 220-7 beat Woodpeckers 217 all out by 3 runs.

A fantastic game of cricket and we were hosted brilliantly by Marlow. MOM Henners 73 and 2-38

From Top left -Badger, Cannon, POB, Henners, Taters, Baron, Cuddles, Cat, Mr Skinner, Tiddles, Milky