The Mogs made the trip to the Red Lion on Sunday looking forward to finally playing after the previous weeks disappointing abandonment of the East Horsley fixture. Due to some last minute drop outs a team of ten were at the ground as AJ won the toss and decided to bat first on a stodgy green wicket. Stu Jackson and Darrell Abbott opened the batting, and they seemed to be judging the pace of the wicket well, before trying for a quick single Stu was run out for 14. Darrell Abbott followed soon after for 5 as he mis timed a cut to cover point (I am sure it had nothing to do with my pep talk before the game!! Sorry Daz!)
Dave Stevens joined Andy Tharp, and he was soon striking the ball very well, hitting two huge sixes before being caught for 30. Andy Tharp and Jimmy Honeyfield became bogged down by some tight bowling, and Tharpy was out for 36 trying to raise the tempo being caught at slip via a deflection off his head. Mossy joined Jimmy and scored 13 runs before being bowled, and Richard Jones didn't trouble Alan Lewis standing in as scorer.
AJ and Jimmy looked as though they were going to get the Mogs to a good total, before Jimmy was caught for an excellent 43 with the score 158-7. Matt joined AJ and continued his form from Coldharbour by ending 26* with his brother Joe 8* and the Mogs declared at 207-8 off 38 overs.
After a meagre tea (£50!!) the Mogs took the field confident of getting a result with the bowling available. The Lewis brothers opened the bowling and both bowled an excellent line and length and Joe was rewarded with the first wicket when Stu Jackson held on to a steepling catch. Darrell replaced Matt, and started his second over with two wickets in two balls, the second thanks to an excellent catch by Dave Stevens at gulley.
Burgess was batting well for the Pilgrims, and it took the introduction of Jimmy Honeyfield to get the next breakthrough, Matt Lewis taking the simple catch. The Pilgrims still refused to crumble, and despite another wicket for Darrell, the match petered out to a tame draw, with Burgess 82 out and the Pilgrims 159-6 off 44 overs.
The Mogs stay in Reigate for their next game, an all day fixture vs Reigate Priory, the last fixture of their cricket week.
Report to follow c/o Andy Tharp
MWCC Stats