After a long period of absence from the fixture card, the MOGS returned, on the hottest day of the 2009 thus far, to resume battle with Merstham.
For many of the MOGS this was a chance to return to a very well trodden stomping ground, indeed our resident statistician Lord Turner regalled all who would listen that the MOGS side probably had over 1500 league appearances for Merstham in there side, (Team name was changed to 'Merstham Old Gits Society' for one day only.....)
The sun shone, the bbq was fired up and supporters, visitors and WAGS flooded through the gates.... The atmosphere built steadily as jugs of pimms, bottles of rose and the sound of an occasional popping of a champagne cork filled the air....
Whether through careful negotiation or luck on Tharpy's behalf, a 40 over game was agreed and the coin came down on the side of the MOGS who duly chose to bat enabling our 30 plus visitors and guests to fully enjoy a superb BBQ lunch (cooked exceptionally by your author) as Messers Turner and Furner strode out to battle....
After a cautious start against the new ball, Trigger started to attack the bowling he knows so well. (Still playing league cricket for Merstham... ) However, just as he was getting into full flow, a shooter deceived him and he could only drag it on to depart for 12. Skipper Tharp joined the Little Maestro (6th game of the week...) and both batsmen proceeded to accumulate runs at will.
Soon the hundred was on the board and a big total loomed....
No one could have predicted the carnage that followed the half innings drinks, which having been served so gracefully by Lord and Lady Turner (which side were they really playing for??), did not have the desired effect as 4 wickets fell for the addition of just 2 runs. First the Little Maestro (37), then Thin Andy (35) and the strong middle order of Moss and Lee came and went quicker than one of Donald Campbell Water Speed Bids.... (116-5)
Another Merstham old boy, Fairclough walked out to survey the carnage and proceeded to watch Jimmy Honeyfield carefully count the 6 balls of the next 2 or 3 overs before taking a single of the last ball of each.....
A period of consolidation followed before both batsmen launched an assault on the young Merstham spinner, Rivers, who having had superb figures of 4-3-1-3 ended up with 7-3-36-3 as the ball was dispatched to all parts of the ground sending spectators scurrying for cover and fielders into the long grass to retrieve! Indeed 71 runs were accumulated in no time at all...
Merstham returned to pace and strangled the assault in the closing overs. Only 26 runs were scored from the final 6 overs as Fairclough (34) / Brown and Abbott (7), victim of a superb run out by Shinners, perished. Jimmy (36 n.o) saw us through with the help of Joseph and Merstham were set a challenging target of 205.
Rosemary Attridge did everyone proud with her well renowned Merstham tea which included the WAGS fighting over the Chocolate / Toffee Shortbread...... and left the MOGS to waddle out to defend there testing total.
Merstham sent in 2 of there current stars in Eddie Loader and Jo Shinners whilst Abbott and Joseph prepared to fire up the sweet chin music... However after 4 tight and sedate overs, Eddie launched into an assault on Abo not often seen.... taking 18 from one over and the runs started to flow. Whilst the Merstham 50 came up in the 10th over, Joseph continued to bowl a nagging line and length which was eventually rewarded with the wicket of Loader, lbw hitting to leg moments after being dropped by Fairclough off the now despairing Abbott!!!
Shinners followed soon after, superbly stumped by LiLi, giving Joseph excellent figures of 2-21 from his allotted 8 overs. Briggs and Tharpy took up the challenge and the miserly masters saw the Merstham advance stall. With drinks around the corner Patel top edged Tharpy to mid wicket and despite appearing more frightened than a rabbit in headlights, Turner held on - only to throw the ball up in celebration and just avoid decapitation at the last second.... (What goes up Trig...)
Drinks were taken at 90-3 - Game On!
Once again these inspired the Merstham players (Note for next year - check the drinks...) as Rivers launched his own assault (19 off 12) before being superbly caught behind by Lee.... His favorites tag for TFC long forgotten!
This followed on from the previous delivery which saw Rivers send back Bennett when looking for 2 - more superb fielding from Turner, chasing the ball to deep mid-wicket and delivering a pin point throw to bowler Tharp - swa Bennett run out (28) leaving the score 116-5 after 26 overs.
The end arrived much quicker than expected as Turner, Tharp and even an excellent 'direct hit' run out from Brown (rolling back the years!!!!) saw Merstham Young Guns all out 138 and the MOGS heading to the bar in double quick time. The celebrations continued into the night with at least half of the MOGS and WAGS ending up at Mr Ahmed's famous Golden Curry House.
Onwards to Leigh!
Report by Ben "Faceman" Fairclough
MWCC Stats