Pig’s Trotters maintain league-winning streak

The Pig’s Trotters have been trotting their way to cricket victory for six out of the last seven years – a return to their glory days of yore.

The Trotters were one of the first six teams that started the Mid-Week League back in 1988. They were serious about cricket but didn’t want to give up their weekends, so a league was created that fit their schedules. Over the years, a number of players moved through the ranks of the Trotters, shifting over to other teams as the league expanded. There are now 14 teams that play in the league, including a women’s team, Wicket Maidens.

The Trotters enjoyed good success in the early years of the Mid-Week League. As time went on though, and the average age of the team players increased to 59, they fell to the bottom of the league standings.

Recently, a new team dynamic began to evolve.

They have started to enlist a number of younger players from the southern hemisphere – mostly Aussies, one Indian, one Kiwi, two South Africans.

“Most guys are either from commonwealth countries or people who grew up playing cricket. but you also see some people who have picked up the sport over the last few years,” said Arnav Nagpal, team captain and winner of MVP for 2017. “It’s kind of nice to see a good mix. You have some really experienced players and you’ve got some young guys trying to pick up the sport. It is kind of cool that way.”

Over the last few seasons, under the captaincies of “Super Dave Saxton,” Adrian Eaves, Francouis Muller, and Arnav Nagpal, the Pig’s Trotters have returned to the top, winning both the League and the Knockout Trophy for the last three seasons, and the League six times in the last seven years.

“The league is pretty friendly, but it does get quite competitive,” said Nagpal. “The teams are close. There are a lot of teams vying for that top spot.”

President of the team for years, Mike Skene, played up until January of this year.

“Mike Skene is the president. President for life – self-declared. Not a dictator though,” jokes team member David Norish.

Also on the team with Mike Skene, Captain Nagpal, and Norish, is Tony Martin, Ross Bains, Grant Parberry, Craig Anderson, Craig Attiwill, John Harris, Peter Wheaton, and David Saxton.

The team generally plays on their home ground at Windsor Park from mid-April to the beginning of September, and is generously sponsored by The Penny Farthing Pub.

“Matt McNeil and Penny Farthing have been great to us. He’s been a great supporter for a long, long time. We couldn’t do it without him,” said Norish.