The weather was looking mighty fine for Brook, and the beautiful cricket pitch that greeted us was verdant and inviting. But it was going to be hot – French Riveria hot. So I ditched the Finura shirt and reached for the thinnest shirt I owned – Armani.
Potty looking every inch the opening bat
The Peckers were looking for the 14th win of the season to equal the all time record that had stood for…..years. Morale was high, but the number of solid batsmen (and bowlers) was low. Our fears were realised when Brook produced an 11 half our age – made up entirely of Amesbury school teachers, gappies, ex-pupils and current pupils. Hey, we had experience on our side. Brook told us they were looking forward to our irreverent banter and another bust-up between the oldies. We didn’t disappoint. Runky’s arrival 1.5 hours late catalysed the process.
Because of our long tail, Pob decided that The Peckers should field first. Motty and Tiddles opened briskly, each giving away a miserly 3 runs per over. Tiddles struck early, clean bowling both openers – a brilliant spell of 8 overs 2-24. Motty was unlucky, but had 2 maidens to show for it with 5 overs for 14. We looked sharp in the field, with Snax diving and somersaulting at midwicket to stop a hard hit ball. A little dazed, he had no idea he had performed such acrobatics. Kamikaze (1-22) came on and snatched a catch, while Chef (2-28) served up some tasty morsels, bagging 2 wickets.
Bonnotty Boo on Brook debut enjoying a pre-match libation
But Brook’s score was steadily climbing. The youth were looking comfortable, while the oldies wilted in the searing heat. Potty, aka Riviera, came on to bag a surprise LBW, only given by the umpire after a softly murmured appeal. A barrage of Potty (1-15) beamers came next, closely followed by some high flying bombs from the Baron (0-40) off 4. To be fair if Snax hadn’t run under one from Ollie Clarke the story may have been different.
Chef’s tasty morsels extended to plenty of morale-lifting witty banter, but nonetheless Brook’s 5th wicket partnership quickly added 75 runs. Until that Wunderkid Gavin Borat clipped the bails off with pace – his 4 overs yielding an impressive 1-8. Merv removed his gloves to bowl a couple. With the scoreboard mounting and the clock ticking Pobsy’s persistent pleading paid off and Brook Skipper agreed to change the game to 35 overs, much to our relief. This meant we could restrict Brook to a decent 181 for 7 wickets.
Tea was a picnic affair. Other chef Motty had conjured up some wonderful chicken satay. The author rated the peanut sauce ‘special’, the secret ingredient being lime zest. Merv’s bacon and egg pie was a Yorkshireman’s delight. Gemotty came along with the ever smiling Bonnie, who provided endless amusement and clucking from Potty’s three daughters and Paula – all of whom had also attended Amesbury, with Paula still a teacher there. Given the years of heritage between our 2 clubs and the Amesbury connection, it was great to see the two oppos and wags mingle so effortlessly.
Kamikaze and Riviera opened the batting, but succumbed early. Kamikaze caught for 7 from Brook’s steam train captain, Rodders. Riviera managed a shirt-flapping 1, bowled by an in-swinging 12 year old, soon followed by Snax who suffered the same ignominy for 0. On comes newby Richard Anthony, aka Levers because of his long arms and legs. A wonderful boundary looked promising, but then caught for 4.
Oh dear, we were 12 for 4, can Borgav save the day? – again. He damn nearly did, with a masterclass of timing, skill and hard hitting. Gav was unlucky to be caught for 56 by one of the best catches I’ve seen in Sunday cricket – a one handed diving somersaulting affair. Our scoreline resumed it’s previous trajectory, with POB and Big Merv bowled for 2 and 4 respectively. . Brook were treated to the usual POB/Runky bickering, with the latter refusing to umpire – presumably because of the punishing heat.
Peckers were now 75 for 7, chasing 181. Enter our great all-rounder Otto/Motty/Sous-chef. He doesn’t like singles and started swinging from the outset, with an awesome 2,1,2,4,4 to start. With Tiddles at the other end also kicking off with a 4, could this partnership rescue us? Otto kept the dream alive with a solid innings of 27, but was caught and the Peckers were doomed. Chef boundaried and was then bowled, leaving Runky to face Brooks’ high speed Rodders. Runky somehow defended the onslaught, with much cheering when knicking a 4. But it couldn’t last and Tiddles was last man standing with 13, The Peckers all out for 134.
It was still Riviera hot, so we all hurried to lovely Dog and Pheasant for lashings of ginger beer. A wonderful day of camaraderie and laughter.
