If you had a spare few million quid, what would you do with it? The answer for Guy Gibson kiwi in the UK was to purchase Follies Farm. Hamptons international described the farm as “includes a mellow brick six-bedroom main house, two substantial cottages, plenty of barns and outbuildings, and its own private, floodlit cricket ground, complete with changing and tea rooms” however this doesn’t quite capture the quintessential Englishness and cricket-ness of trundling through the fields to be met with the beautiful ground. To cap off the luxurious feel, a private helicopter was buzzing overhead prior to the match, clearly bringing in the best “The Old Spots” had to offer. It was a particularly special occasion as it was Match Manager Henry Grant’s 40th birthday on the actual day, so Follies Farm had a strong squad to select from and a large crowd had gathered to celebrate and take in the festivities

On a clearly very good but used deck, with a short boundary down the hill, batting first would be key to make the most of conditions. We were quietly confident in the sheds that our smooth talking skipper would be able to engineer us into batting. Alas, it was a birthday match for one of the Spots favourite sons and their 6-foot-massive captain chose to bat, we don’t blame POBsy for not putting up much of an argument with that opposite you..

They got off to a lightning start, racing to 91/1 after 10 overs, largely thanks to the aggressive Hargan (88) in full flow. Who dispatched most of the generous early offerings into the paddock with aplomb. In amongst the early carnage CHUCK (Jonny Berry) (2-60) bravely took the new ball and made an early breakthrough, while OTTO (Ollie Mott) strugged to find his usual metronomical line and length.

Word had got out that not only was this one of the most beautiful grounds we play at, but there was strong murmurings of a Long Lunch in the offing. Because of this (no-one believes they were there for the cricket alone) the peckers garnered a bountiful supply of supporters. The Dog’s canine parents made quite the journey from Cheshire no less to see him play and posted up on the exceedingly comfy outdoor sofas for the afternoon. A crowbar probably could get them to shift, especially as BBQ & rose (more on that to come) seemed to arrive in their lap at regular intervals.

A Fine Pecker Crowd inc Furry, the Alsation and a brace of Megs…or possibly Nutmeg!

Berry finally dispatched Hargan for an excellent 88, a brilliant catch diving forward by the Dog in front of his parents Alsatian and Furry… 3 quick wickets — after contributions from Ford 31 and Griffiths 23 —Snax (2-35) bowled really well and bamboozled the Follies batsmen with his floaters. We briefly checked the hosts at 161-6. but speaking of hosts our actual host the man himself Guy Gibson produced an excellent 73 to put the innings firmly back on track.Gibson was eventually removed by an all-Tilford combination, RAMEKIN completing a neat stumping off the bowling of John Barran Jnr (2-34)— the Tilford stalwarts combining nicely behind and in front of the sticks.

And JBJ wasn't finished there. He later produced perhaps the most appropriate wicket of the day, bowling birthday boy Henry Grant for the eighth wicket to fall. The 3rd Tilfordian JB Senior came back well from an early butchering (2-49)

Follies eventually closed on 278/9, although it represented a decent fightback from the Peckers, who at one stage were staring down the barrel of 350!

Fortunately, the BBQ was calling and the butchers were ready.

Needing 279 for a record-equalling 14th win of the season, and back at Follies for a second year with a strong side assembled for Henry’s birthday, the Peckers started like a train.

KAMIKAZE James Gaunt smashed 68, including FIFTEEN fours, as he and JB (Snr) powered the visitors to 110 for 0 after 16 overs.

The Pecker Crowd was very excited by the Rose and our quick start.

At 140/1 and needing around eight an over, the Peckers were very much in the hunt.

Then the carpet was well and truly pulled from underneath them.

Quite literally, MAGIC CARPET — our star all-rounder — had dropped out at the last minute, replaced by JK, who did brilliantly. But it was the Woodpeckers’ run chase that suddenly had the rug swept from beneath it.

Another great knock from Kami prompted his father-in-law to utter ‘at least you didn’t get a duck this time’

Meadows eventually removed the dangerous Gaunt, Barran Snr went soon after and then came the collapse………….Levers had been celebrating not quite getting promoted with Battersea Ironsides on the Saturday, so it is a minor miracle Coggs-y decided to join him on the trek from Islington. However, when she got there and had the first taste of the Rose from the peckers contingent, it suddenly seemed like a very good idea indeed. The bat signal went up and Samurai dashed over from the other side of the Top Gear test track, bringing with her 2 parents, a brother and a hanger on-er to get royally stuck in to the rose…described by Pecker Sommelier Otto as ‘Light, bright and with beautiful legs. It was everything that you want from a rosé, and more. And at such a competitive price point, chipping one to mid on is a foregone conclusion

BIG LEVERS Richard Anthony — 9. With fiancée Coggles watching, perhaps got a little over-excited on the rosé beforehand.

In fact, the last seven Woodpeckers batsmen all departed for single figures — and the final three made ducks. Sounds familiar. Birthday Boy Henry Gibson bowled beautifully taking 4-29, one wicket for each Decade of his life!

POBSY Owen-Browne was left stranded like General Custer on 11 not out, having earlier chipped in with a wicket. In amongst the chaos JBJ made a fine 47, completing a great all-round performance. McMahon claimed two wickets at the death and a run-out finished proceedings. 196 all-out a gallant effort against a strong side who we impressed with the bar bill. We were great in the middle part but but struggled at the start at the end.