Catches really do win matches….And proof that terrible ground fielding may not be a real factor in winning a cricket match, but more on that later.
The lovely woodland surroundings of Outwood was the latest destination for the Woodpeckers on a blustery but warming day in mid July. A young peckers team took the licence to gather at the nearby Bell Inn for some pre-match pints and lunch.
They were surrounded by some older warmth from Kwakka, Pirate and the skipper. who won the toss and decided to bat, mainly due to the full bellies and long batting line-up.The pitch was a green one, following the previous night’s downpours.
In front of the live tv cameras, Pirate, with mother and daughter Pirate in the stands, and Moley strode out to the middle in anticipation it wouldn’t be very long before we were striding back. The 3 father and son combo’s for Outwood took to the field and the opening bowlers soon found a good length and some real bounce, swing and seam. However the anchor was laid with a solid 60 opening partnership, albeit in 12 overs, to enable the latter hitters in the team to really have a go, when the buffet came on.
It has to be said the Mole was dropped 4 times by the Outwood fielders, and should have been run out, all whilst still in single figures, and that very much set the tone for the day ahead. He of course went on to make a dazzling 82 off 76 balls, (NB 4 of those were actually Pirate’s runs). Pirate ran himself out when tired but well set, Kwakka missed a straight one and the loud and boisterous Traas came out to join Moley. Trash went on the attack from the off, post a possible run out that skipper decided was too close to call. Once Moley finally got one that the Outwood team did manage to hold on to, Pippin came in to play a great cameo, and some real good, run a ball batting helped Trash go even harder, smashing 4 sixes into the woodland. Leading to another 82 and a red inker off just 58 balls.
Greasy spent 45 minutes in the nets warming up and joined Trash for a final over slog, only to be out 2nd ball, and bring about the start of a sulky day for the soon to be groom!
A well made, 241 for 7 off 35 overs, felt a good but maybe only par score on an improving wicket and small ground.
Tea was taken, whilst watching the tennis and catching up with Kamikaze, who by now was on his 8th pint of the day, and still in his Somerset gear, fresh from a 7 in a room night in Brum at the famous Travelodge de Maison, post Blast finals day. This was only the start of the Kamikaze rampage on the bar at Outwood, where he provided entertainment for all throughout the afternoon as he closed out on 20 pints for the day!
The Outwood innings started with Spinach coming in hard and fast. The skipper decided an extra slip was needed, and very next ball Spinach found the edge of opening batter Sherwin-Smith and the Cat clutched on to it at 2nd slip. Trash was in total disbelief, rolling around, not sure if the captaincy was majestic or the catch was unbelievable….and yet more magic was to follow.
Greasy opened up at the other end, and he soon found his full on grumpy, as he could not find any consistency. He therefore went to bazball bouncers, and the batsman couldn’t resist, and up it went, and up some more and then up some more….underneath it, the Skipper…..(gulp)…moving to his right he steadied himself, fingers down, then up, then down and then up again….it landed right in the heart of his hands and down “he” went, but with ball clutched safely….a blinder!
But it got better, some 5 or so overs later, and with the Williams now well set on 12 and starting to play some shots, he decided the cover boundary was his for the taking. A thumping drive to the left of Kwakka. Everyone was looking in disbelief as Kwakka dived full length to take the best catch of the lot! The crowd and players went wild…what had we seen, three great catchers in succession for the Peckers, and not a drop in sight! .
We would have thought Greasy would have been happy with his 2 fer, but he then moped around the field for 15 overs letting through 4 or 5 easy stops that went to the boundary and allowing the Outwood team to slowly get back in the game. It became contagious, with Spinach and Trash also guilty of some poor ground fielding and an easy drop from Trash, stopping Millhouse from getting his maiden Peckers wicket! Millhouse did manage his own blinding catch diving at square leg
Young Williams was still at the crease for Outwood, and whilst Lamby was keeping an end quiet and picking up 2 good wickets, the Peckers were never quite confident of getting the game done whilst he was still out there.
Trash was brought back on and Pobsy plucked another one out of the sky, Williams gutted that he hadn’t played the winning innings in making 77.
Cat came on to clean up the tail, with his off spinning medium pace half trackers, and we were on the verge. But as is often the case with the Peckers, we had to add some drama. Kamikaze, now 18 pints deep and providing much entertainment to the Outwood crowd, was heckling from the sidelines, and the ground fielding fell apart. The last pair running easy singles, picking up two’s from over throws and Pobsy losing it as we gifted them easy runs. From 177 for 9 to 219 for 9 and only 23 needed off the last 2 overs, so Skip threw the ball to Greasy to see if he had one last hurrah in him as a single man.
He slung one down the leg side, and the Outwood skipper flicked it to Moley and walked!
A win for the Peckers by 22 runs. Kamikaze danced and sang, and downed pint 20. Greasy and his merry gang could go to the wedding on the back of a Woodpecker win, and we could really say that catches win matches! However there is no proof of 2 of the blinders as the camera angle wasn’t wide enough…so you’ll just have to believe us! Best of wishes to Greasy, for his wedding day, from all of the Peckers! Go Well!
https://outwoodcc.play-cricket.com/website/results/5949600
You can view the scorecard and video highlights here x