The Peckers started the 2021 season at the picturesque Ripley Cricket Club on a bright sunny day, with Covid restrictions having relaxed the week before it felt like a precursor for the rest of the summer ahead. The bar was unfortunately closed however the ever prepared Peckers had packed an assortments of drinks, kept cool in some hastily sourced cool bags from various members of the squad. With the drinks bags in place, Pob felt reassured that he could elect to bowl, safely in the knowledge that the drinks would still be cool following 40 overs in the field on a day which felt like mid-July and not April.

Ripley had put out a strong team with a number of 1st team players in their top order hoping to build some confidence at the start of the league season. What the opposition may not have fully appreciated is that the Peckers had done their own pre-season in Battersea Park the weekend before ensuring that the opening pair of Motty and Spinach were on the mark immediately. Motty bowled beautifully throughout the opening overs and was rewarded with an edge behind which was sharply taken by the keeper Botty. Motty then took a fine one handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss the rangy Harris who’d been striking it ominously cleanly. Otto followed up by bowling Khan for a duck.

With the Mott brothers having combined for the first three wickets, Spinach at the other end was able to reassure the other Peckers that their attendance was still required on the pitch and found the edge of the number five’s bat with the catch taken by Badger in the slips. ( a great grab into Badger’s ample paws and I hope we’ve found a slip fielder who’s not purely decorative) Spinach then bowled Russell who was starting to look dangerous, reducing Ripley to 45 for 5 with the Peckers firmly on top. Motty finished his opening spell with figures of 6-1-15-3, Spinach who had an early chance spilt by the new slimline Cannon off his bowling finished with figures of 6-1-38-2.

I decided to change it up to give Ripley some relief from our lethal opening pair -Cat, who was suffering from a horrible hangover entered into the attack next along with Cannon. Ripley bedded down and started to re- build their innings against the more wayward change bowlers. It was the introduction of Henners for Cannon which produced the next wicket, Henners first two balls of the spell were full tosses which were quickly dispatched to the boundary. Like Dom Bess found in the sub-continent, spinners are aided if the ball is allowed to pitch and with the Ripley batsman charging the third ball and missing, Botty quickly removed the bails for an excellent stumping.

Cat who was now into his 4th over and still looking grumpy and unwell; he produced a fine bouncer which found the edge which was gladly taken by the keeper. Looking slightly happier Cat then bowled the incoming batsman first ball and Ripley found themselves at 116 for 8. It took another stumping and golden duck in Henners next over (still on a hat trick) to finish the innings and a fine bowling performance off for the Peckers who would be required to chase 120.

Unlike the proposed Super League the Peckers were well supported throughout the day by Gemotty, Horse (plus two foals), Macca, Maccarena and Burnley Badgerina. Gemotty also brought along the wonderful French Schnauzer Harry (on debut) who spent a large proportion of the day trying to enforce the 2 meter rule from a very persistent Ernie (Roger’s dog).

Tea was very kindly sponsored by Dupa and we were treated to an assortment of sandwiches, nibbles and cakes from the wonderful Merrow Savouries, all of this was washed down with the cool ales and ciders.

With the attention now turning to the run chase, Badger and Cuddy were elected to open the batting with plenty of overs to chase the 120 required. The first ball of the new season Badger duly missed the first ball which clattered into his stumps for a diamond/platinum/golden/all of the above duck which brought Dupa to the crease

*Here’s the badger-scribe rewarded with the Armband of Shame*

The Ripley opening bowlers had also clearly been in the nets and they were hitting a persistent line and length (particularly Cliffy as usual) 5 overs into the innings Cuddy was struck on the pads and Henners triggered a slightly dubious decision considering Cuddy had edged the ball first. Alas without DRS Cuddy had to make his way back to the pavilion along with Henners who had been quickly relieved of umpiring duty.

*AWKWARD…Umpire Henners about to pad up…Cuddles the opposite*

Unfortunately the Peckers collapse didn’t stop there with Dupa falling to a good stumping from the Ripley keeper and Roger departed soon after having been bowled to jaffa of a delivery. We were 20 for 4 and in need of a partnership which came from Botty and Henners. They managed to keep the runs ticking over with the occasional boundaries allowing the spectator to enjoy the sun. Just as the everyone began to sit back and relax again Henners skied a catch off the top edge which was taken by the keeper leaving the score at 65 for 5. Pob went for 2 and Motty added to the ever rising raft of ducks in the game -70-7 and all sorts of trouble. Botty fuelled on Somersets finest cider batted masterfully, picking up the boundaries when required and harbouring the strike around a defensive Spinach and Cat. Slowly thanks to Botty’s batting the target became ever closer and he reached his unbeaten 50 in the 19th over with only 20 runs required and two wickets in hand. Following Cats dismissal the Peckers requiring just 10 with only one wicket remaining, Cannon was the final batsman, with increasing pressure around the bat he proceeded to play a supporting role whilst Botty pushed the Peckers closer to victory.

A lovely drive from Cannon harvested two runs (should have been three) bringing the scores level and with it memories of the famous 2018 tie between the two sides. Luckily for the Peckers Botty (65 not out) managed to get the final run and to keep winning streak for the Peckers intact.

Thanks very much to Ripley for hosting us once again and also Dupa for sponsoring the fabulous match teas! Woodpeckers 123-9 beat Ripley 119 by 1 wicket. That’s 5 wins in a row now for the Peckers!

*Otto rewards his brother with delicious Somerset cidre*