The Peckers rode south at dawn on the 15th of June seeking to etch their name onto the Tom Saxty Memorial trophy for the first time. Despite silverware being on the line there is always something bigger than cricket being celebrated on trips to the Earl de la Warr’s estate.
The Earl’s back garden.
Keen to honour Tom Saxty our oppo had a large squad to choose from. Faced with the prospect of a strong Withyham XI the Peckers fuelled up on Sussex’s finest Harvey’s at the local watering hole – The Dorset Arms – in preparation.
The Tom Saxty Flag and Peckers Up!
The setbacks began before we took the pitch after the Magic Carpet dropped out – replaced by the newlywed Butternut. To make matters worse Murphys girlfriend’s car broke down on the A21 – gladly, with echoes of a young Tom Saxty, two Withyham youngsters kindly stepped in to field for us as Murph sat on the hard shoulder.
Electing to bowl looked like a terrible decision as the Withyham opener Ben ‘Biceps’ Adams, who plays for Loughborough University, struck the ball hard and cleanly from ball one. Beetle (0-26) was only able to make inroads on our star keeper Fingers’ thumb. I’m sure Thumbelina helped numb the pain later that evening.
A large crowd turned out to watch the match and honour Tom Saxty including many of his family and the Earl
Tiddles (1-36) got an early breakthrough, a good catch from Kamikaze at 1st slip which prompted Fingers to hand him the gloves. Though Withyham rattled along to 56-1 after 10 overs.
Fancy Pants with his 3rd ball finally found that perfect line and length with a jaffa that pitched middle and hit the top of off..At the other end Snax (0-29) was brought down to earth after taking 4-20 last week. He loves a new ball but unfortunately his first one; a knee high full toss, disappeared from Biceps’ blade over the trees into the Medway River, a sad end for the last of the Shiny Huddersfield balls. The next over saw Jacob Tully (Tom Saxty’s Godson) deposit another ball in the river off Fancy Pants (2-48) who came back well as ‘Wolfgang’ VW Beetle pouched a brilliant one-handed diving catch at 1st slip.
The Crowd included Fancy Pants and Wheezy family, including Queen Kindly (Pob’s Aunt)
Skipper and stalwart Mike Whitehead came in and this sturdy pair continued to build the score and with Withyham 158-3 off 23 overs, we were staring down the barrel of a 250 run chase, and running out of old Huddersfields.
Time for the Chefrey to enter the kitchen, rather jaded after a week at Lords witnessing his Aussies lose the WTC, he was keen to restore national pride. Bowling with flight and guile he produced a wicket maiden to remove their captain. Chef followed this with a beauty to clean bowl Biceps on 96 to the delight of Beetle.
Cheese Board and More deliciousness!
Murph’s fashionably late arrival was suitably rewarded with the bonnet of shame which remained otherwise unused due to a brilliant display of fielding (the second game in a row of no dropped catches!). The highlight being the linkup between Titties and Pantaloons on the boundary (you had to be there). At the other end the Honeymooner (1-10) almost hit his own toe with a bouncer that found the batter’s glove and another sharp catch by Keeper-Kami above his head. Butternut’s variation of length as unpredictable for himself as it was for the batsmen..
The ever-smiling Fingers (1-1), cap on, trousers at risk of falling down, cleaned up Bruno Tully (Jacob’s younger brother) after Bruno tried to scoop him having been egged on by Beetle at slip. Chef’s final over produced back-to-back wickets and thus the last ball of his spell was a hattrick ball, I’ll let you watch the rest:
Surely the leg stump full toss will get him?
Chef finished with a brilliant 4-19 off 7, a few more on the ‘list’. Pob had negotiated the ‘everyone delivers an over’ with our bowler heavy line-up and came on for the last over –and bowled Bowen who’s handy 30 had left Withyham 204 all out off their 35 overs, a very decent score on a lively wicket. There were moving speeches from both captains at Tea in honour of Tom Saxty as his sweet girls Violet and Arabella brought out the trophy. Another glorious Withyham spread ensured the second innings didn’t begin before 5 o’clock.
No surprise at who was first in the queue for tea.
Seeking redemption with the bat after last year’s diamond duck Kamikaze opened alongside Butternut. Word had got out that a Withyham player had been clocked bowling 82mph. To Butternut’s disappointment he was opening the bowling and ensured the married man did not contribute to the chase.
The VW Beetle didn’t last long either, but he did help discover their keeper’s rare trait – this trait being he cannot catch a cricket ball. This helped extras to a handy 23 (15).
Peckers and spectators watch the chase in the shade of the pavilion.
Joined by Wheezy (or Pecker name) ‘Vlad the Inhaler’, Kamikaze began to stroke the ball beautifully around the ground. Growing into his innings as the sun bathed the stunning pitch. Wheezy batted with brilliant technique, bravery and patience seeing off the pacey Jacob. The pair staying together until drinks putting us at 101-2 off 17 without giving the Withyham bowlers a sniff. Eventually Wheezy’s defence was broken in the 21st over, and he departed for a dedicated 24 (51), part of a 94-run partnership with Kami.
Batted Vlad!
Murphy 11 (22) kept the runs flowing before giving way to our human Jack Russell; Fingers. Next over Kamikaze finally fell for an inspiring 84 off 66 balls. Peckers were suddenly 150-5 still needing 54 at about 6 an over, with no recognised batsmen to come. Pobsy joined Fingers and the pair ran between the wickets like men possessed including an all run 4. Fingers, Having decided to lay off the chocolate cornflake cakes at tea (his body is a mushroom-infused temple) batted with aggression, scoring at a strike rate of almost 200. A successful chase concluded with another scampered single with Fingers reaching his 50* (28) off the final ball. We reached the target of 205 in 32.4 overs only 5 down.
A winning partnership.
.
A wonderful knock from Kazi!
Peckers desperate to get to the pub, so poor Withy Skipper Mike Whitehead was dragged out of the shower to present the trophy
A spectacular game of cricket on an emotional Father’s Day was recounted in the Dorset Arms. Peckers, Withyham players, spectators, and dogs alike already looking forward to next year’s celebration. Jugs were purchased in honour of Tom Saxty and to celebrate a wonderful game of cricket.
Kami enjoys a cider after 84 and two great catches won him the MOM
From Back L-R Kamikaze, Chefrey, Butternut, Pobsy, VW Beetle, Fancy Pants, Whezy, Tiddles, Fingers, Snax, Murphy