<p>Brilliant logistical work by Matthew earlier in the week ensured that all 11 Mogs were in The Plough by 1.45 expecting a 2.00 pm start. It was however a 2.30pm start, so with the bonus of us all getting a couple of beers on board, the Mogs crawled up the undercarriage-wrecking Leith Hill to find Coldharbour's Kylie Minogue-like ground (tiny but beautiful) bathed in sunshine, on what was a chilly June afternoon.</p>
<p>Coldharbour won the toss with aplomb and on detecting the strong smell of alcohol on the majority of the Mogs' players breath, they elected to field first, scenting an easy opportunity to roll us over. They were soon to be very disappointed. Furner & Fairclough rolled back the years as they effortlessly impersonated Boycott & Tavare, grinding out an opening stand of 95 in 19 overs (the equivalent of 45 runs on any other ground). The other Mogs batsmen were getting restless and some light-hearted sledging started "on the hill" until Furner was out for a "Furner-like" 42. Abbott went in at No 3 in a desperate search for some batting form. Unfortunately he did not find any and it was up to Hewitt to up the tempo with a belligerent 42 off 22 balls. The scene was set & with Honeyfield & Tharp also joining the slog-fest, the Mogs score was soon being added to at the rate of 10 runs an over. Fairclough went for 12 short of a century but Jackson, Stevens & Lewis J all cleared the ropes as the Mogs reached our fixed tea of 5pm at a daunting 293-7 (possibly the 5th highest score recorded by the club?)</p>
<p>Coldharbour's tea was excellent with a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches (white & granary), being manfully supported by scones & cream and Twix biscuits. A cup of tea was enjoyed by all except Matthew who polished off his 6th can of Stella Artois, to compliment the 2 pints of lager top that he had enjoyed at The Plough earlier. The only Mog who did not find this alcohol statistic amusing was Mr Abbott, who was booked in for a ride home later in the day! Honeyfield joined in the fun as he taunted the Lewis boys with the possibility of him achieving brother-in-law status if his persual of their little sister went to plan.... with that in mind, the Mogs took the field.</p>
<p>Openers Lewis J & Briggs could not find the opening wicket despite accurate opening spells and although a run out accounted for one of their openers, it was Dave Stevens who caused the real damage with a 12 over spell that captured 4 wickets. Alternating rank long hops with occasional well-pitched off cutters, Coldharbour batsmen were as confused as headlight-loving rabbits as they never knew whether the ball was going to bounce twice or clatter into their stumps. Coldharbour were 5 down with the last hour called by umpire Davies. Lewis M, Tharp, Honeyfield, Furner & Hewitt all tried to buy a wicket, but it wasn't until Abbott came charging bull-like down the hill that the game came alive again. Coldharbour's Harry Potter look-alike of a No 7 had his off stump knocked back. Matthew took 2 wickets in the penultimate over and suddenly we were in the hunt. Unfortunately Abbott could not quite deliver us the 2 wickets that would have given us a fairytale finish and all the players returned down the hill, unwashed but cheery, for more ale in The Plough.</p>
MWCC Stats