The fixture at Ham and Petersham took on a significance unrivaled in the history of Woodpeckers CC as the game WhatsApp chat revealed that the Peckers were aiming for a record seven wins in a row, a record 5 wins to start a season, and, fittingly, seven would feature prominently in what the Fates had in store for us on a sunny bank holiday afternoon on Ham Common.

As custodian of pecker history, Captain POBsy had thrown down the challenge at the start of the week to continue our epoch-making a run. Still, an SOS highlighted the need for a batsman to complete the team sheet. Muttley answered the call- but like 4 other players that day, he hadn’t held a bat for 8 months, leading to an unprecedented demand for a pre-match net to prepare .

The team vying for immortality woke up on May 28th with a mission, a day shared in history as the day when Sir Jack Hobbs played his final innings to notch up a world record of 199 first-class centuries… (was this an omen?) and after losing the toss, we were inserted on a track that would have a decent amount of bounce that kept things interesting…

Pirrate and Muttley strode to the crease with purpose, and the opening bowlers looked rather rusty in line and length, which allowed us to get off to a brisk start before Pirate was caught out after playing a shot that was in keeping with his lack of match practice. Muttley, now settled, imparted confidence to the incoming Pippin, who notched up a comfortable 21 before falling to an lbw shout that this square leg umpire reckoned was a fraction high. Both had fallen to Hare.

Borgav entered proceedings, also marking his season debut. As a Pecker dynasty royalty, he was absolutely thrilled to rejoin the fray and give his dad, Life President, an extra reason to read the match report. Then the Peckers pair started to enjoy themselves, recording a monumental partnership of 163 that took the score from 57-2 to 220. Waiting for the several poor deliveries served up per over, they punished the middle over bowlers.

A collective feeling of relief at the state of the game at this stage was palpable among the throng of peckers, peckerettes, and family who had come to bear witness to this day. This included the families of Muttley, Tiddles and two debutante peckerettes courtesy of Novichok. The latter comprised a most delightful sister and girlfriend combination who generously came furnished with a well-stocked mobile bar and confectionery stall that proved sufficiently distracting to this correspondent that he was hardly noticing the batting prowess being displayed and hadn’t fully appreciated the contribution of Borgav who had plundered 94 before holding out to a decent catch by Hanif before reaching his hundred.

Snax being distracted by the new Pecker fan club

Other batsmen came and went quickly (three other season debutants), falling victim to a much-improved bowling combination that seemed to magically surface to upset their hopes for a claim to a contribution on this day.

POBsy joined Muttley, and the pair embarked on a confident batting display that took Muttley to three figures, the second ton of his career,much to the joy of a welcoming crowd and adoring family. Is there a Pecker who is a nicer guy than Muttley? Well, this correspondent doesn't think so. He would be feted for the rest of the day, with space on the pedestal of glory for one other… another hero armed not with the willow but the ball…

Young Harry is particularly delighted by Dad’s ton

Tea was taken at the nearby New Inn and comprised a lovely chicken pesto pasta salad, assorted pies, sausage rolls, and cheese and pickle sandwiches. Only soft drinks and teas were imbibed. The record was not yet in the bag, and this was not a time to start celebrating, but to enjoy our position of strength quietly and assuredly- Keep Calm and Carry On.

Ham and Petersham started their reply reasonably, though they never kept up with an alarming RRPO of 7.6. Groundskeeper opened with Tiddles, and both bowled accurately and with control, and Tiddles was unlucky not to open his tally after a couple of missed chances. Groundskeeper drew first blood after clean-bowling Rahat. The game was drifting at this point, and only the enthusiastic support from Toria and Freya (aka Crystal Tipps and Alistair) kept us going.

Enter Chef…. who was hoping for redemption . A year ago Ham had been his return to the Peckers after 20 years living overseas. He had steamed in off the long run trying to impress the youngsters and tore a HAM-string. He returned a month later as a spinner with a remodeled action. He took wickets in each of his three overs, the 1st caught behind down the leg-side beautifully by Pippin. In his fourth over he found himself on a hat-trick

Coming off a run-up that could never quite relinquish his previous paceman incarnation,he has become expert at disguising different incoming velocities….part off-spinner, part medium pacer, delivering from a high arm position to hurry a batsman at all times .Chef ended up with the incredible figures of 8 overs, 7-21. The feat of taking 7 wickets is so rare that it hasn’t been achieved since 2001. By an incredible coincidence, the last two Peckers to achieve this feat were both in the team - Gav 7-33 in 2001 and Pobsy 7-32 at Tadworth in 1989.

Only Hanif (29) and Brady (22) provided any defense. Proceedings were ended by a catch by a flawless Muttley before the team took photos in the dappled sunshine to mark the new chapter in Pecker history and an outstanding achievement under POBsy’s tenure as captain.

L_R from back Smeagol, Novichok, Chef, Pobsy, Cannon, Muttley, Borgav, Pirrate, Pippin, Freya, Tiddles, Toria, Snax

Both teams retired to the New Inn, and drinks were taken late into the evening, with thanks given for the opportunity to spend the day together and celebrate friendship and team spirit. Stories were recanted, the new peckerettes were treated to the Full Elton, and jug avoidance by Borgav was duly noted by Chef and Muttley, who kindly kept whistles wet…

After the New Inn, a party of revelers continued to Groundskeepers uncle and aunt's home on the banks of the Thames near HAMPTON court, where a pizza party of sorts continued into the wee hours… We were joyously reflecting on the Magnificent 7 -Chef taking a 7 for, to seal a 7 match winning run.

The season takes us next to the historic Tilford, where the Peckers will look to write a new chapter in its history….an unprecedented 8 wins in a row.