18/06/2026
Peppermill Cup Success for Buntingford CC
Sunday saw Buntingford CC make the trip to Forest Green for the annual Peppermill Cup fixture, our first visit to Surrey after Forest Green travelled to us for last year's inaugural match.
Following the success of the 2025 fixture, a travelling squad of 12 players made the journey south. A huge thank you goes to Jeff Jones and the BCAT bus for getting us there safely and making the trip possible.
Upon arrival, we were treated to a fantastic BBQ laid on by our hosts, ensuring everyone was well fed before a ball was bowled. Forest Green also provided a superb tea at the innings break, complete with a wonderful selection of food and some outstanding homemade cakes.
Bunt Recover from Early Collapse:
After winning the toss, Buntingford elected to bat first on what appeared to be a good batting surface with short boundaries. However, things did not go according to plan early on.
With the batting order determined by the wheel, Bunt found themselves in serious trouble at 16-5 and facing the prospect of a very short afternoon. Gareth and Callum steadied the ship with an excellent partnership, rebuilding the innings beyond the 50-run mark before Gareth was dismissed for a well-crafted 20.
When Callum departed, the Coote brothers took centre stage. George and Jamie began to free their arms and take advantage of the conditions, finding the boundary regularly and swinging momentum back in Buntingford's favour. Jamie eventually fell for an entertaining 28, while George carried his bat superbly, finishing unbeaten on 51.
Thanks to the late acceleration, Buntingford posted an imposing total of 188 from their 35 overs.
Wickets Shared Around:
The aim with the ball was simple – give everyone the opportunity to bowl three overs and enjoy the occasion. The plan worked perfectly, with wickets shared throughout the innings and almost every bowler getting their name on the scorecard.
The only exception was Andy Ricketts, who after an excellent opening spell of three overs costing just 10 runs, was cruelly denied a wicket. The Forest Green batsman at the death clearly fancied his chances and launched Andy's final over for 23 runs, much to everyone's amusement!
One of the highlights of the day came in the field, where Steve Paola produced a spectacular diving catch on the boundary – a sight reportedly not witnessed at Buntingford Cricket Club for over a decade.
Forest Green were eventually dismissed for 118, handing Buntingford a convincing victory and proving there was still plenty of life left in the Bunt boys despite the long day.
Celebrations Continue:
Following the match, both teams headed to the Old Bulls Head, run by the owners of the Peppermill, whose sponsorship has supported both clubs over the years. A delicious paella was served before the Peppermill Cup trophy presentation rounded off a fantastic day.
The fixture once again proved to be a tremendous success, building on the foundations laid last year and strengthening the friendship between the two clubs.
A huge thank you goes to Chris and everyone at the Peppermill for their continued support of the club and for helping organise another memorable occasion. We look forward to continuing this fantastic tradition for many years to come.
