Following a dominant display the week before the Peckers jumped on their chariots and rode down to the idyllic Tilford Hippodrome set in the heart of Surrey. There was an extra air of excitement as the peckers were looking to set a new club record of 8 wins in a row.

For the peckers who haven’t played at Tilford, there probably isn’t a cricket green elsewhere in the UK that sums up village cricket more poetically. The pitch is set on a triangular green with slopes either side of the wicket adjacent to the beautiful River Wey. Not forgetting the quintessential English pub, The Barley Mow, situated on the north side of the green serving great local ales and food.

The Green itself is a desired destination for cyclists, motor clubs and the local travellers. Sunday afternoon the crowds were treated to some excellent cricket, but some also strange chariot racing (thankfully not on the pitch).

The full team was there for an early match libation

Pobsy lost another toss, and The Peckers were put in to bat, and the Kamikaze and Cat strolled out to the middle in the opulent mid-day sun. Kamikaze struck early boundaries whilst the Cat now accustomed to his new opening role, took a bit more time. With the quick outfield and small boundaries any well placed shot would quickly scamper to the boundary. Kamikaze with his unorthodox stance but joyous technique was bowled for a quickfire 26. Pirate playing his 2nd game of the year started off quietly allowing Cat to take up the reins play some majestic shots for a big man.

Pirrate called Cat for a quick single, but he was caught on the back paw and run-out for a furry 36. Pippin was dismissed early bringing Trash to the wicket. He was miraculously in bed by 2am the night prior. Our very own Bazball devotee, he quickly looked to score runs off every ball, and was quickly in the swing of things by knocking the Tilford bowlers to all three corners of the ground.For the next 15 overs the theme continued, consistently grooming the bowlers to all parts of the shire. He eventually fell to an excellent catch on the boundary by Ramekin for a fantastic 118 which was also his maiden peckers ton, probably off about 70 balls.

Groundskeeper who came in after Potty’s departure provided a lovely late flurry with 31, and was nicely supported by the skipper. A final score of 280 from 35 overs was posted, daunting but gettable with the short boundaries, lightning outfield and great deck.

We were delighted to be joined by a large Pecker support team at tea, Horse, GG, foals and parentals, Otto, Gemotty and Bonotty Boo, Kwakka, John Campbell, Paul Potter and Anty(Pob’s God-Daughter) Tea was an assortment of delicious sandwiches, cakes and hot sausages, washed down with some delicious local Ales.

Groundskeeper and Spinach were provided the cherry after Tea. The saying ‘you are only as good as your last performance’ was evident when Trass (at Gully) dropped the opening bat on the first ball. However, Darling like any good bowler provided a moment of magic with a sumptuous caught and bowled, which was quickly followed by another leaving Tilford 14-2 (the record looked on). Spinach at the other end was bowling one of his finest ever spells, with a combination of pace, line and length. He was unlucky to go wicketless with one double drop from Kamikaze and the Mannequin.

Mannequin following seven wickets the week before was unable to run through them but continued the excellent economy and the run rate required climbed to double figures. Chef rustled up some special sauce in his last over to snaffle a brace 2-24.

At the beginning it was agreed everyone had to bowl apart from one medical exemption, this week it was Snax due to a TRICEP strain. So next change was Pippin, I bowled some slow pace, which can only be described as much better than my spin – no further comment.

Pobsy was able to encourage Spinners to try and open the game up and the Cat showed some feline prowess but was not supported by Traash at 1st slip

Luckily in the next over Traash was replaced by Pippin at Slip. All this brilliantly captured by our ace camera-man the Old Horse.

Following a flurry of runs at the end by Wrenn-sleydale (Tilfords captain) and a 50 for JB, the game was up and The Peckers victorious by 101 runs. This brought up the record-breaking 8th win in a row, a massive achievement for our great club. There is no finer place to achieve this and we celebrated in front of the Barley Mow and shared ales and awards with our Tilford Friends

A massive thanks to all of you who’ve contributed to making this happen, and had such fun doing it. Next week we are live on Youtube at Chiddingfold going for number 9!