Eight Mogador Wanderers gathered on a wet and gloomy Saturday morning at the Wray Lane car park to travel down to Hampshire to play the Hogs. With a scene reminiscent of the jungles of Nam, mist and rain shrouding the trees, the 8 hardy souls filled up with Bacon Bagels (really good) and set off for the 1 hour journey.
This was until we reached the A3 to find the traffic stationary! The next two miles took over and hour and a half, and whilst the skipper and Jamie made frantic phone calls to the oppo and the 3 Mogs who had managed to avoid the congestion, all the intrepid 8 could do is try to look on the bright side...
Once the traffic had cleared, the convoy finally reached the lovely Warnford ground at 12.40. Once the timings had been arranged, the opening pair of Honeyfield and Richards strode to the wicket whilst the rest of the team stretched their legs following their 3 hour journey. Both looked in good touch, hitting some lovely shots, until "The Butcher" was caught in the slips for 15. Andrew Fyfe, a potential new Mog, joined Jimmy and both looked to capitalise on the good start set. All was going well, however Andrew pulled a hamstring and Jimmy his groin and the running of singles was about all that could be done. Andrew had to call a runner, poor JR having to pad up again, and the pair looked as though they would reach the lunch break no, until Jimmy was bowled for a well made 28 of the penultimate ball of the morning session. Lunch was cold roast beef, boiled potatoes and salad with cheese and biscuits.
After lunch Ben joined Andrew and the pair were looking good until Fyfie was out for 25, somewhat hampered by his injury. Jamie joined Ben, but didn't last long as he was given out lbw having nicked it on to his pad, Tharpy lasted only slightly longer before offering and easy catch to the bowler and the Mogs were in trouble. Jay Mastin and Darrell (I cannot play spin!!!) were soon dismissed and the Mogs were 130 odd for 7 off over 35 overs. Chris Mankelow joined Ben, and these two batted extremely well, Ben reaching a well made 50, and Chris an excellent supporting 27*. With the time running out and having faced almost 50 overs Tharpy declared on 204-7, hoping that the wicket would remain unpredictable and the Mogs would have enough time to bowl the oppo out? What he failed to remember is that the team had three fielders who couldn't run, and despite some excellent bowling from Chris Mankelow and Jay Mastin the Hogs were able to take tea at 50 odd for none.
After an interesting tea of marmite and cucumber sandwiches (no expense spared - but more of that later) the Mogs hobbled their way out to attempt to break the partnership. The Hogs rotund opener was brutal on anything short or full, and although the Mogs managed to take 4 wickets the total was reached with at least 8 overs remaining, the opener completing a well made century. The Mogs were well beaten by a good side, and the players congratulated the opposition as they left the field.
Spirits were down, and were not made any better when we were informed of the £220 match fee! (Reigate Priory is over half this for better lunch and tea) Tharpy gathered the money and paid the skipper, only to find the majority of the oppo had left and were not sticking around for a beer. An unsatisfactory end to what should have been an enjoyable day in Hampshire, and maybe the lesson learnt is that the Mogs need to concentrate on more local fixtures. As skipper for the day, I apologise to Alan who scored, Pat and Amy who turned up to support and most of all to the 10 players who gave up their Saturday to play for us, I will ensure that future games will be more in keeping with the Mog tradition. The Mogs now travel to Headley, one of our oldest fixtures, attempting to beat them for the first time since 2008!
Tharpos
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