After a few drinks in The Seven Stars, the Mogs were welcomed at the idyllic Leigh cricket ground with glorious sunshine and a breeze off the third man boundary. With this in mind, and the overnight shower, on winning the toss Mr Tharp decided to bowl. A 40:40 game was negotiated, and once overcoming the hilarity of Furner just before the start, snapping his exercise stretchy thingy, causing the small man to be catapulted some 12 feet, out of the changing room, the Mogs took the field. That was unfortunately about as good as it got.
However, I must take nothing away from the excellent opening spell from Joe Lewis and Mike Coxon. Both get a mention for taking full advantage of the conditions and producing excellent limited over bowling. Mike Coxon picked up a couple of wickets which were perhaps one or two short of those he deserved. In fact the bowling as a whole was pretty good from the Mogs, introducing Jay Maskin at first change (a tidy swing bowler from the Oxted CC camp - friends of Jamie Freeland, only strengthening my claims that Mr Freeland does indeed know everyone in the cricketing world). Jay proceeded to introduce the longest run up in medium swing bowling history, pushing off the sight-screen, and bowling great boomerangs to the right hander. However, all the bowlers lacked one ingredient, a fielding side that could field. Unfortunately 6 or 7 catches were put down, and all the bowlers, who bowled well, deserved more.
After a solid but tepid start from the Leigh batsmen, it was Richard Slade a regular Leigh member, former Sunday captain and known by a few of the Mogs) whom efficiently and without fireworks, managed to take control of the Leigh innings, and take a score board that looked rather un-inspiring to 150 for 5; which on a very slow wicket and squashy, fluffy outfield was to be a very good score. Although being mentally taunted and 'technique critiqued 'by the Mogs bowling attack The Leigh batsmen picked up the tempo of their innings, enjoyed the lifelines they were given and ran very well towards the end of the 40 overs - The final target being set at 176. It wasn't a surprise the local side seemed quietly confident with a seemingly lowish score. As it ultimately proved a excellent score.
The Leigh tea was the only thing the Mogs can claim to have succeeded at. It was magical to watch and to experience the confidence and control by which all 11 Mogs plated an array of delicious sandwiches, jammy dodgers and summer afternoon sponge, on the tiniest of saucers; something I'm sure Cirque de Soleil would have been proud to be involved with. It's never a good sign that the author is more excited about the tea than about the actual cricket...well I had to fill.
Without being too descriptive (just this time), the Leigh bowling attack was probably one of the best bowling attacks the Mogs are likely to face this year, and although that doesn't excuse the poor and cowardly batting display from all the boys, I like to think that it is one HUGE, ALL DEFINING, ULTIMATE reason!
Unfortunately, there is really not much to say about the batting. Extras top scoring at 17 (that pretty much sums it up), Mike 'Tenpin' Coxon hitting an enjoyable 13 and Will 'The Colonel' Parker producing the cover drive of the 'naughties' (that is apparently the term used for our current century and not Jimmy Honeyfield's favourite guide to social interaction) - That was about it.
In summary we bowled well, fielded poorly and batted poorly. They bowled very welland batted better.
Report - Mr Charles "Dairy" Lee
MWCC Stats