"Calling all the Heroes!"
The Mogs turned up to the lovely Maori Oxshott ground in plenty of time to sample the wonderful "Doom" real ale that was available at the bar. The doom in the glass soon turned into gloom amongst the team when it was realised that the thirteen players that the skipper had at 9am had now transformed into 9. A few frantic phone calls were made, the toss lost (asked to field!!), and the 9 Mogs made their way onto the pitch to try to contain the Oxshott attack. The 9 soon swelled to 11 when the Maori umpire for the day, a precocious 13 year old called George (fully qualified umpire) and his younger brother Rory were drafted in, much to the relief of all the Mogs.
Joe and Jamie opened the bowling under a leaden sky and biting cold north wind. Both bowled really well and Jamie got the 1st wicket trapping the Maori opener plumb in front - lbw. Joe was having no luck, so Charlie replaced him in the 11th over to see if he could make a breakthrough. With Jamie completing his 8 overs, Jimmy H replaced him and was immediately into a good line and length. The Oxshott ground is small with a very quick outfield, and the batsmen were soon scoring very freely. Jimmy got the next wicket when he also got an lbw decision, and a very smart piece of fielding by the young Rory accounted for a run out of the other Oxshott opener for a well made 78.
Tharpy bowled a short 5 over spell which was expensive but did result in 1 wicket, and Joe and George bowled the remaining overs exceptionally well, George picking up a wicket as well as bowling a maiden!! Oxshott finished on a respectable 237-4 off their 40 overs.
After a sumptuous tea (hot pizza, lovely sandwiches) the Mogs were confident of reaching the target as we had learnt that their Saturday 2nds had chased 326 to win the day earlier. The Mogs started briskly, both Furner and Freeland hitting their straps from the off, before Furner was well caught at slip for 13. Mike "Magic" Johnson made 4 before being bowled by the Oxshott opening bowler, and David Stevens joined Jamie at the crease. He hit a mighty 6 almost out of the ground and things were looking good. However Dave was bowled for 17, Dairy Lee only managed 3 and the Mogs were again behind the required rate to win the game. Jimmy Honeyfield valiantly tried to increase the tempo with Jamie, but fell for 21, and when Tharpy was out for 5, it was not looking good.
But as many a good Mog knows, it is when faced with a true challenge, the true spirit of the club comes to the fore, and there were 8 Mogs and supporters who are lucky enough to say we were there when another heroic Mogs innings was crafted. Words cannot do justice to the knock of Jamie, but here goes anyway!!! It was pure class and concentration. Needing over 100 to win, 12 overs left and a 13 year old as your partner, Jamie saw the Mogs home to win with an over to spare sharing a partnership of 92 with young George (who ended up on 2*). I have been lucky enough to witness many great comebacks: Peter Martin and Alex Hewitt in Lechlade, Darrell Abbott and Matthew Lewis at East Moseley. To this list rightfully goes Jamie Freeland whose 150* was one of the best Mog innings I have been privileged to witness. It was a case of calling all the heroes today, and we were lucky that one did answer our plea!!
More Doom was supped in the bar afterwards, our hosts were wonderful as always and the fixture has already been confirmed for next year.
Report - Tharpy
MWCC Stats