The Rottingdean road-trip began in spectacular style, what better way to prepare body and soul for the challenging game ahead then with a first-class barbecued lunch courtesy of the resplendent hospitality of the Martin's.
Once the game was underway (following a slight post-luncheon delay), the Mogs found themselves opening the bowling with Charlie "Dairy" Lee working in tandem with Mike "Ten-Pin" Coxon. A superb display of line, length and at times blistering run-ups saw them take-on and take-out the Rottingdean top-order. 3 wickets to Lee and 2 to Coxon saw us all the way through to the 6th man with just 33 runs on the Rottingdean total.
Despite sustained pressure from Honeyfield, Tharp and Hewitt with the ball (with all three of them taking wickets), Rottingdean were able to steady the ship through their middle order and finished up with 128 on the board
Throughout, the Mogs were razor-sharp in the field with a number of splendid catches being taken throughout the innings, a special mention to Phil Staverley's take - a sonic boom rang out moments before he clasped it safely to his chest. However, the finest catch of the day was early in the Rottingdean innings, Fraser Larke with a display of unrivalled athletism launched himself low and to his right, talking a superb one-handed catch in the gully. He later confirmed he owed much of this manoeuvrability to the pair of Dunlop Green Flash trainers he was wearing, lighter than air - and actually worn by his hero, Billie Jean King in the 1968 Wimbledon final.
After a marvellous tea to top up on the now slightly reduced stocks of BBQ energy, Furner and Staveley made their way to the crease to open the batting.
Despite a few wobbles and some-less than brisk run-scoring, Captain Hewitt remained supremely confident of victory. The ever-masterful and supremely patient Peter Furner was the rock upon which our towering innings was built, he remained not out for 35 at the end of the day. Notable contributions came through A Tharp and Hewitt himself but it was ultimately Charlie Lee who launched himself carribean-style from the platform Furner's had built him with a particularly smashing display, including a six struck straight back down the ground over the bowler's head in the closing stages of the match, finishing with a fine 27 not out.
A day summed up by a three wicket victory some excellent cricket, hospitality and entertainment. In fact the day was marred only by the apparent theft of Jedi Master Furners' box. Who was responsible for this heinous act?! Most suspected J Honeyfield, who earlier in the day had suffered an unfortunate ball to ball interaction and was as a consequence, most in need of the additional protection. However, a post-match press statement from the esteemed office of Colonel W Parker intimated that the item in question had been briefly re-assigned to a special-operations tour and would be back home for conventional duty within the week. The box itself refused to comment.
Mike Johnson
MWCC Stats