The weather was hotter than Will's jock strap after a Lamb Phahl and Captain Hewitt's wrong call of tails was met with collective groans from his already over-heating team-mates who wanted nothing more than watch the opposition chase leather in Bushey Park.
The last thing you want on a baking hot day is a huge outfield and a bone dry batting strip, both of which were kindly provided by our hosts and Teddington's openers set about our opening bowlers with real relish. Joseph in particular was treated with undue disrespect and retired to the deep square leg boundary where more amusing sport was to be found in the guise of 2 bikini clad supporters. Freeland replaced him and the Mogs gained an element of control as he snared their Saturday 1st XI opener, courtesy of a feathered edge to our stand-in keeper Fairclough, who kept beautifully all afternoon. Briggsy replaced Abbot from the top end and also bowled a good spell, but with 10 overs to go Teddington were 170-1 with 10 of their allotted 40 overs still to bat. Hewitt replaced Briggs and managed to get 3 wickets as he and Tharp helped staunch the expected avalanche of boundaries as Teddington took tea at 228 for 5. Praise should be mentioned to the Mogs fielders who all hurled themselves around all afternoon, despite the heat.
Rehydration was the name of the game at tea, though this left the Tandoori Chicken sandwiches available and Freeland was quick to take advantage. The Mogs were confident of chasing a target that looked gettable, but Fairclough was bowled, Furner ran himself out (although Peter thought it was my fault but he's not writing the match report is he?!) and Stevens was also bowled, leaving the Mogs 70 for 3 after 17 overs. Hewitt & Gould were still at the crease, though neither player batted that well against the "quicks". A change in pace saw the boundary tempo increase and Hewitt passed his 50 with 3 consecutive straight driven boundaries before giving his wicket away to Teddington's cocka-ahoop skipper Vassant, who danced a Nobby Stiles jig of delight as cover took the catch. Gould fell soon after, leaving Martin and Freeland at the crease, only for Jamie to be bowled round his legs 3rd ball, Tharpy to depart the same way and the contest was as good as over as the run rate went over 10 an over with just 3 wickets in hand. Abbot received a "poor decision" from the home team's umpire, a self-confessed eccentric who announced "everyone thinks I'm odd", Joseph hit one big 6 before perishing and David & Briggsy batted out the last couple of overs in preparation for this Sunday's fixture at Rottingdean.
It was a match we could have won, but ultimately we were beaten by the better team on the day.
Hewitt
MWCC Stats