As the Woodpeckers descended on the idyllic Blackheath Cricket Club on a beautiful day for some village cricket, it had become apparent that this was not your typical Sunday village team. Blackheath had won every sunday fixture this season and were littered with a number of very strong U15s county players, and the kiwi overseas pro. In addition, the days leading up to the game it was apparent this was a Pecker line-up loaded with bowlers but light on batting. It was going to require some inner grit and determination to score the likely runs required to win. As such it was agreed Blackheath were to bat first.

Spinach had the honour of bowling the first ball downhill and downwind. Apart from the loose first ball beamer, which went for four runs, he bowled quickly and aggressively trapping A.Jess for an early bath.

Bagpuss, who earlier in the week was attempting to boycott playing, slowly trundled in from the other end. With his 4th ball the Cat lured J.Riddy into a cover drive which was expertly caught by Pobsy as he dived forward in the covers. On a normal Sunday this may have been a top highlight, but the best was yet to come. A few balls later Bagpuss was back amongst the wickets thanks to a beautifully timed one handed catch by Motty in the gullu. Due to some excellent bowling and fielding Blackheath were on the ropes as another wicket fell leaving them 17-4.

The good news continued with Greasy chipping in leaving Blackheath on 47-5. It seemed Blackheath were shortly after going to be 6 down with a caught behind. However, with the umpire not raising his finger and the batter failing to walk, Blackheath remained 5 wickets down (He went on to make 74). Runky and Smeagol bowled tightly (til his last over) towards the latter section of the innings but as the wickets started drying up the opposition started to find their rhythm. Otto was opening the batting, so in an unaccustomed 3rd change role took an excellent juggled caught and bowled with his slower ball but sadly shortly after pulled a hammy fielding on the 45 to Runky

For the remaining overs Blackheath knocked it around nicely making a score of 178-8 from their 35 overs. The Peckers fielding had been excellent with scribe Pippin also taking 2 good grabs for the Shire, and excellent bowling too. Cat 3-15 and Spinach 2-30 the main wicket takers For a pitch that had short boundaries and was dryer than the Sahara desert this seemed under par. There was nothing under par about the tea though which was voted ‘best of the season’ with plentiful hot sausage rolls infused with onion chutney the MOM.

The lovely Blackheath tea ladies with the remnants of the sausage rolls

The Peckers were now left without the replacement opening batsman. Following a dice throw between Bagpuss and Spinach, it was Bagpuss who took on the opening responsibilities. The Cat’s average in 2022 to this point was 1.5, in economical terms this equated to £50 per run with his new £400 pound bat, but he backed himself

The contrasting figures of Pippin and Bagpuss go out to open

After a relatively slow start Pippin lashed at one outide off and was caught at first slip for 4 runs (another early exit). Next in was Chibby who started off aggressively with a lobbed straight drive for four runs. However the young long haired quick bowler from Blackheath soon sent Chibby back to the Pavilion. The next delivery went from bad for worse for the Peckers as Gaunty went for a golden duck. Next in was Traas who had scores of 3, 0 and 1 in his last three innings so was in much need of some runs. On a hat trick ball the young, Jason Gillespie, ran in with speed and aggression. Traas clearly getting distracted by his luscious locks he played and missed at a straight one. With a stunning hat trick suddenly the Peckers were 4 down. Undisturbed by what was happening at the other end Bagpuss started to mount a challenge. Only dealing in boundaries, Bagpuss, started to create some excitement on the boundary line.

However, the wickets kept to tumble with Greasy, Smeagal, Pobsy and Spinach only contributing a further 3 runs. The peckers were now 8 down with the previous 8 batsmen only contributing a measly 12 runs. Motty’s replacement, Charlie Pugh, who was 13, small in stature, but had better composure than the majority of the Peckers on Sunday was a brilliant partner to Bagpuss. The Cat continued to play with confidence, hitting the overseas spinner for two towering sixes, and bringing up his 50. Bagpuss ended with a valiant 61. Runky remained 4 not out after a delicious late cut, which will do wonders for the average. The Peckers were quickly bowled out for 103. Several ales were consumed in the evening sun, as we reflected on a game of two halves.