Mogador Wanderers travelled to the picturesque Brook ground on Sunday eagerly awaiting the first game of the season. The lovely Dog and Pheasant was the first port of call, with the usual suspects enjoying a pint or two before the game. The nine players made their way over the road to be berated by the home skipper for not being ready for the 1pm start. A few of the Mogs did mention that Brook were an hour late at the same fixture last year, and as it turned out starting an hour later wouldn't have done much to help the Mogs in this game.
Having poached 2 players from Brook to make up the numbers, the Mogs took the field and soon realised what they were up against! The ex Dorset opener proceeded to time the ball very sweetly to the boundary, although Jamie and Joseph did produce some excellent deliveries. After 10 overs Brook were 65-0 their hundred partnership being brought up in the 14th over. Joe was replaced by one of the poached Brook players who bore a remarkable resemblance to "Barn Door Shaw", and Jamie was replaced by the man of the match for the Mogs, Phil Davies (a Reigate Grammar School student). Phil bowled 15 overs unchanged, and was by far the best bowler of the day. It was Phil "Scolari" Davies who picked up the first wicket when the aforementioned Dorset opener smashed the ball straight down Jamie's throat at long on 113-1. In his next over Phil removed another Dorset player, when Tharpy managed to hold on to a thick nick behind, 128-2.
Matt Lewis was bought on at the other end for a dual spin attack; however he was not as fortunate as Phil, nor was he as accurate! Phil grabbed his 3rd wicket when the other opener missed a lofted off break and was stumped by Tharpy. Alex bought himself on and was rewarded with a wicket in his second over, the Brook no 4 being trapped plumb lbw. This was the last wicket to fall and Brook soon declared their innings at a total of 272 off only 43 overs. This left the Mogs with plenty of time to chase the total down, almost 3 hours!!
Peter Furner and Andy Tharp opened the innings. Tharpy, stiffening up every second following keeping wicket, managed to hit a couple of boundaries before finding the only fielder in front of square on the off side and was out for 13. Jamie joined Peter and faced 15 balls before nicking one and departing for 1. Peter Furner managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over whilst wickets kept on falling, Colin (Brook) and Alex both came and went for 5 and 7 respectively. Richard also went cheaply (6) and when Peter was out for 25 the writing was on the wall. Mogs finally capitulated to a grand total of 81 all out, a disappointing start however not as bad as we later discovered we were playing their Saturday 1st XI, and had found a possible new player in Phil Davies.
The Mogs licked their wounds back at the pub, helped by free chips and roast potatoes (excellent landlord!) and now look forward to the next game at Follies Old Spots next weekend.
Author - Andy "Cymbols" Tharp
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