A barrage of abuse from the heavens the previous evening, Sanderstead covers had stood to attention nobly. Protecting a green and lively wicket, a perhaps questionable game was to go ahead, with MOST peckers thrilled to be a part of the opening 2015 fixture. A butterfly, or a woodpecker on honeymoon in the Caribbean must have been guffing, as it was windier than a ... It was bloody blowy!

A gentlemen's agreement put the peckers into bat, though controversial with some of the Owen Browne clan as the feeling was the wicket was to be avoided...We are often stronger than Sanderstead and I wanted to ensure everyone got a bat. The team had 3 Holmes and 3 OBs, and a distinctly youthful look with me and Al the senior Pros by a good decade.