<p>After an early arrival at Ditchling's picturesque ground at the foot of the South Downs, picnics and wasps were dealt with in similarly brisk fashion. The alcohol helped Matthew's tossing (hasn't that just been the case for nearly 20 years now!) and the Mogs elected to bat first - a decision surely influenced by the large numbers of wives, girlfriends, children and Vice Presidents in attendance.</p>
<p>Roared on by a capacity crowd, Jackson went on the attack from Ball 1 on a wicket of unprectable bounce. Fortunately mid off dropped that one (an absolute sitter), and the Action man went on to smite 15 before holing out properly to an astonishing, one-handed catch from the same fielder. Furner meanwhile was playing solidly in accustomed fashion, chiselling 20 hard-fought runs from 60 Ditchling deliveries, led manfully by Hugh Fearney-Whittingsall look-alike, Jon Hallam.</p>
<p>Fortunately Freeland, in his penultimate innings as a bachelor, was moving through the gears beautifully, with the leg side attracting the easier runs and 12 apples from a rare foray over the boundary into a neighbouring East Sussex garden. Hewitt, more accustomed to such airbonre brutality, came in at the fall of Furner (dispatched plum LBW by apologetic looking recruit Paddy Stobbs) and quickly clicked into gear on this strange pitch and with steady drizzle now falling. After a lusty 44 off 27 balls (including a 6 hit over long on that missed his grandmother's tea-sipping head by 3 feet), Hewitt lost his middle stump, and with Abbott, Tharp & Lewis M falling in successive overs, the Mogs were reduced to 154-6.</p>
<p>Fortunately Freeland was in 4th gear now and with Rice showing that his Headley innings was no fluke, they put on a rapid 46 runs before Rice was caught and boiled for 18. Freeland was playing beautifully now and with the calming influence of Colonel William T.Parker at the crease, Jamie reached 3 figures (103*) with a trademark boundary (a punched drive through a prone 15 year old) and the Mogs declared at 222-7 off 41.5 overs.</p>
<p>Ditchling's tea was, quite simply, sensational. After a dispute earlier in the season between Ditchling wives, outside caterers had been brought in and this turned out to be an inspired decision. Massive Victoria sponges and chocolate cakes rubbed shoulders with scones towering with jam and fresh sandwiches that included brie and cranberry, ham and mustard, tuna and cucumber and cheese and pickle as the fillings.</p>
<p>The Mogs were revived and opening the bowling were 18-year-old Rice & 16 year old Stobbs - surely the most youthful opening attack the Mogs have fielded since the late '80's (Freeland and Jackson?). Despite accurate, probing bowling (and many an 'air-shot') neither could hit the ashe, and it was up to Briggs to strike, trapping Ledson LBW for 23.</p>
<p>This was the breakthrough the Mogs required and when Abbott claimed their wicketkeeper Dean lbw to a bouncer for 5, we were well and truly on our way. A blur of wickets then fell as Tharp's benders claimed our recently engaged "swinger" 3-17 in an exemplary display of slow swing bowling. Hewitt chipped in with 1 wicket but we then endured a 9 over barren spell, during which Mogs heads dropped somewhat and our cheerful banter metamorphosized into some peculiar self-sledging toys, with assorted toes being found in local bushes, gardens and waterways.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Lewis returned after statistically unique first spell of 3 balls to wrap things up with applomb (and no little turn), finishing with 3-19, consolidating his yearly progress to the renamed Matt Lewis's bowling cup. The Mogs triumphed by 89 runs and we returned to the pavilion to savour 2-3 pints each of Harvey's matchless Sussex Ale (courtesy of centurion Freeland).</p>
<p>So another win as our Season goes from strength to strength. Next week Horsham, and the pillaging of Sussex continues...</p>
<p>Footnote - congratulations to Susie & Richard on the successful delivery of Emily on Friday13th August. Well played!!!</p>
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