Records Tumble as MOGS finally find some form.
After last weeks unfortunate need to cancel their fixture against Normandy, the MOGS re-grouped themselves and arrived in their masses to face the might of Newdigate.
This is one of the MOGS oldest and established fixtures played on a very picturesque ground that has yielded some very high scoring in recent years and 2006 was to be no exception.
Exxon called Cider as the drink of the day and the MOGS started tucking in to the vast quantity of Magners in the Newdigate Cellar.
After news filtered through that Alex had won the toss and elected to bat, Jimmy 'Cabbie' Honeyfield (with the support of girlfriend Brook) and Ben 'FaceMan' Fairclough were asked by the skipper to open and set about the Newdigate opening bowling with relish. Face Man regularly slashing 'rapier like' over the top of gully.... but...after a quickfire stand of 39, Cabbie misjudged a straight one and had his off stump pegged back in the 6th Over.
The skipper then joined Ben and the pair proceeded to re-write the Mogador Wanderers scoring record books. (Major to confirm).
After a slower than normal start Alex started to loosen up and with the Face Man regularly giving the strike to his partner, (Despite mentioning to both umpires it was a mistake to take a single of the first ball of the over), Alex soon motored past his colleague as the Newdigate bowlers wilted in the heat and the onslaught.
Both batsmen reached there half centruies with classy cover drives and the Newdigate fielders seem to lose focus as a staggering 8 'very catchable' chances went to ground (Faceman 3 and Hewitt 5) whilst the score board continued to rattle up like an 1920's cash register.
Taking full advantage of a strange reluctance of the Newdigate skipper to employ a deep extra cover, both batsmen thrived at the chances they were given and both duly recorded centuries of the highest order.
Fairclough perished in the 38th over to a stunning catch at long off for a memorable 125 but Alex continued to plunder the Newdigate bowling like the Pirate he is and ably supported by debutant Chris 'PermaTan' Martin (Harsh) saw the MOGS through to a superb 387 -2 off there 40 Overs with Alex finishing on a quite gargantuan 229 not out!!
After a Fantastic Tea comprising of succulent chicken wings, quiche and fresh melon along with the usual assortment of sandwiches and cakes (Probably the best so far this season), MOGS took to the field, knowing that Newdigate had already successfully chased 309 this year.
Darryl 'Exxon' Abbott opened up operating down the hill and immediately hit the jackpot second ball with a superb inswinging yorker that sent the Newdigate opener back to the pavilion at the double.
Supported from the ranks by Anger Management Lewis, Dave 'Cowboy' Stevens and Cabbie Honeyfield, Darryl bowled thru an excellent spell of bowling and ripped the heart out of the Newdigate batting, sending half back to the their hutches before the score reached 50.
Newdigate refused to buckle and two fine fifties saw MOGS resort to the unlikely combination of Moss and Furner who in there own indominitable style proceeded to baffle the established batting. Moss taking his first wicket in twenty years whilst Furns trying to erase the Brook incident from the MOGS memories. (Never!)
Cowboy came back to finish of the Newdigate indians and the MOGS retired to the bar to knock back ample quantities of Ale in celebration.
Fines were once again handed out by Newdigate's Acting Constable Brown. All the batsmen who failed to trouble the scorers (including the MOGS despite not getting a chance.......) and all those who dropped a catch - at which a procession of Newdigate players trooped up - All proceeds went to Newdigate's village charities - a very worthy cause!
Talking Point / Controversy of the Day:
The decision to play a limited over game and thus making a declaration impossible meant that controversy was never far from boiling over within the MOGS ranks. Some felt the score was too large but in the author's opinion if any of the numerous chances offered to Newdigate by both FaceMan & Hewitt had been taken the end story could have been very different indeed....
Player of the Day:
Darryl Abbott - Whilst there is no doubt the attacking batting of Fairclough and Hewitt set up the win, the inspired opening spell of the Big D returning superb figures 5-30 from his 8 overs with an excellent demonstration of swing bowling destroyed any hopes that Newdigate may have had of challenging MOGS record total. (Author's decision stands)
Memorable Moment of the Day:
The Bowl Out that took place in the nets between Allan Lewis and Frank Jackson bringing back the memories of years gone by for the MOGS.
Next Stop:
The All England Club and Wimbledon
Author - Ben Fairclough
MWCC Stats