<p>Having been put into bat on a glorious day, Mogs openers Jackson and Furner got us off to a solid start with contrasting styles: Furns, having heard rumours that an England Seniors' talent scout was in attendance, was keen to show his maturity by playing his customary anchor role; Stuart, meanwhile was making light of the outfield's 20-degree slope, smacking a couple of boundaries up the hill and looking in good touch. However, he succumbed to temptation and was bowled for 19 trying to repeat his earlier trick, ending an innings which promised a lot more.</p>
<p>Captain Hewitt, replacing the outgoing Stuart, was evidently eager to impress the large section of female supporters in front of the pavilion, and set about punishing the indifferent first-change bowling, crashing several 4s and 6s in very quick time. He was on 45 when Furns, having finished giving his masterclass in "the Leave", dolleyed a full toss to mid-on and was caught for a patient 24.</p>
<p>The Chairman joined the captain at the crease and both continued to show their appreciation for the generosity of the bowlers. Alex, emulating Flintoff's efforts at Lord's, launched a monster up the hill which sailed into the practice nets on the full, while the Chairman eased himself in with some casual boundaries. Several more stand-and-deliver blows followed from the captain before he fell to a superb running catch by Posner on the boundary for a magnificent 107. David, meanwhile, continued to keep the runs flowing following Alex's departure, a succession of 4s and a 6 calming the nerves of edgy debutant Chris Stobbs, who made a nippy 16 off nineteen balls before being trapped lbw. Richard Moss started to string some fluent stroked together, whilst the Chairman passed his fifty, but his inside edge onto his stumps for 59 signalled the start of a collapse. Mossy (24) and Andy Tharp quickly followed, before the captain called the batsman in on the dismissal of Matt Lewis at a seemingly insurmountable 267 for 8, with Will Parker unbeaten on 4.</p>
<p>After a delicious and eagerly-devoured tea, the Mogs marched on to field, confident of being able to knock off the wickets to gain some extra time in the bar. However, with Lothario Lewis and Pilau Rice opening the bowling, comments like "They'll never get that total" appeared premature. Matt did his best to keep the run-rate down with a tight spell, but, by contrast, Uncle Ben was receiving a thorough stir-fry, going for 18 off his third over thanks to some woefully short-pitched bowling. Three wickets, however, had been taken during the openers' spell, with Hewitt bagging a run-out and a terrific diving catch in the gully off Pilau, who also removed the Newdigate no.4's middle stump with a rare good-length ball.</p>
<p>Thankfully, Briggsy and Tharpy both bowled very tight spells, taking any hopes of victory from the minds of the Newdigate batsmen. Both also received their just rewards with a wicket apiece, turning the Mogs' thoughts towards victory with the hosts struggling at 69-6 following Alex's first wicket.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Newdigate were not giving up without a fight, and, despite appearances, their 7th wicket partnership were proving stubborn. Time was not a problem, but there were increasingly nervous glances thrown up at the sky, as the weather closed in -victory was not going to be as easy as it seemed...</p>
<p>The seventh wicket stand continued, with no edge going to hand and every ball which beat the bat missing the bails by a whisker; not even a brief Furner cameo managed to provide the breakthrough. Soon the no.8 had passed 50, and was looking confident, by contrast with the Mogs, who were looking worried. Our prayers were answered, however, as Matthew Lewis flew through the air like Darcey Bussell to catch the no.8 of Alex's bowling - relief all round.</p>
<p>Mogs' fielding generally was of a fairly mixed standard: Alex, Lothar and Tharpy all put their bodies on the line for the cause, while Messrs Rice and Moss (joint effort) and the Chairman managed to sacrifice only their dignity. The aforementioned pair's blushes were spared, however, as Alex bowled the no.9 with his next ball. Quick work from Will Parker to stump the no.10 Gunter ("on an Austrian fruit-picking exchange") gave Alex a second wicket, and with 6 overs to spare Matt finally got the wicket he deserved to win the game for Mogs!</p>
<p>Fines were handed out after the game by Acting Constable Brown to: Alex (deservedly for his insolent treatment to the opposition bowling), and Keith and Pilau for their lack of runs, while Furner escaped paying his fine on a technicality. All proceeds went to charity.</p>
MWCC Stats