The Mogs arrived at Coldharbour in anticipation of playing in another high scoring game at the picturesque Coldharbour ground, whilst listening to England show the Ecuadorians how to play exciting football. How wrong they were proved to be on both counts!!
Whilst some of the team had watched Tendulkar play majestically in the morning, there was nothing regal about the Mogs batting display (chairman and skipper excluded!!). Jackson and Fairclough opened the innings and were tied down by some tight bowling from Kornrumpf and Weill. Ben was out first, unfortunately bowled by a ball that kept very low, and when Stuart followed 2 overs later having been deceived by the guile of Hopper, and the fact the ball hit the stumps on the second bounce, the Mogs were 28 2 after 11 overs. Not quite the run fest we are used to!
The skipper was joined by the chairman and in the space of 6 overs they had increased the score to 93, this was more like it. David was particularly harsh on Hopper, hitting him for 2 consecutive sixes, but then was stumped next ball going for the third for an entertaining 34. Tharp came and went without troubling the scorers, and Alex was joined by Moss. Alex then launched into the unfortunate 2nd change bowler Urwin, dispatching him for 37 in 2 overs. He was just as harsh on Hopper, hitting him for 37 off 2. This moved the score on from 94-4 to 146-4 when Alex was caught behind for an excellent 78. What followed was a collapse of almost England proportions with the last 6 wickets falling for only 31 runs. Ollie Martin hit a couple of lusty blows, the Lewis brothers were both bowled by excellent balls, and if it wasn't for a 10 run 10th wicket partnership between Parker and Briggs it could have been worse!
A good tea was enjoyed by the Mogs whilst hearing that the England game was 0-0 and not very exciting!
The Mogs took the field, realising that they only needed to take 8 wickets as one of the Coldharbour players was taken to hospital with chest pains, we wish him well. Keith and Matthew opened the bowling, and despite some good deliveries couldn't break the opening partnership, not helped by some interesting interpretations of what constitutes a wide!
Andy was brought on and looked like the TFC award was his as his 6 overs produced no wickets. Joe replaced his brother and after a dodgy 1st over, bowled one of his best spells for the club, snapping up 3 wickets in a tight and controlled spell. Alex replaced Andy and he also managed to take 3 wickets, including a smart stumping from Parker, and the Mogs could sniff an improbable victory. However the young Weill had other ideas and with some big hits, took Coldharbour to within 10 runs of victory when he was well caught by Alex off Matthew. 10 runs, 1 wicket and the news that England had won 1-0, could this be the time for a Mog hero. Unfortunately for the Mogs, it proved to be a bridge too far as the Coldharbour batsmen scored the required runs and the game was lost by 3 (1) wickets.
After a run of three defeats the Mogs travel to Reigate Priory hoping to get their season back on track.
Report provided by Andy Tharp
MWCC Stats