"Catches Definitely Win Matches!"
And so, on a warm sunny afternoon, the merry band of Mogs returned to the scene of there oldest fixture, Headley, with a view to ensuring vengence for last seasons double defeat at the hands of the old enemy! Old in the sarcastic way as Headley's Sunday XI appear to get younger every year!!!
Alas as you will now read, the merry Mogs failed in there quest and there can be no other reason that the fact that 7 of the team joined the juggling club spilling 8 catches during the day while taking only 4.... Headley did not drop a catch! Catches definitely win matches!
Captain Tharp strode out for the toss only to lose on a hard but very green pitch and was very happy when the Headley skipper Andy Pickering, who had been hoping to lose the toss and force Mogs to make the decision, won the toss and chose to bat!!!
Laughter and merryment concerning the farcical fixture from the previous weekend continued through the day and the Mogs took to the field in good spirits... Possibly too good as Joseph opened up, only to see his first ball deposited over cover for 6 and the rest of the over yield another 14 as the Headley opener Moss tucked in.... Indeed all Headley batsmen came in determined to play there shots!
A welcome return saw the old pro Briggs take to the stage at the other end and he rolled back the years with a tight opening spell until his body started to creek like the Titanic.... (4-1-6-0)
As the Community Shield kicked off at Wembley, MOGS fielders were obviously expecting Fabio to stroll past Headley Common looking England's new number one team alas the optimism was short lived as Faceman was first to join the juggling brigade, tipping one over the bar at mid wicket and shortly followed by Stavely, turning a one handed effort around his left hand post.
Skipper Tharp replaced Briggs and made the breakthrough as the other opener skyed to the Old Pro who made no mistake at mid off....
Then it was the turn of Joseph to join the circus, as a sharp edge from Moss flew up to slip only to be parried over the bar before Tharpy did his best Robert Green impression from a simple caught and bowled chance.
Headley's batsmen took full advantage and deposited anything in there hitting range in the surrounding countryside.
Honeyfield replaced Lewis at the 'Likely to be Smashed Windscreen End' and bowled with his usual aggression, Brown swallowing a flick off Moss (77) at square leg, and Faceman making amends for his earlier indiscretion.
As the runs flowed Furns dropped a steepler running back at long off, Brownie charged in from the boundary with cymbals clanging and there was even time for Magic to get in on the act, palming a diving effort at point....
The declaration came but not before the skipper brought up his first ton for MOGS (5-127) and the marching band headed for the legendary Headley tea knowing that they faced a good challenge on the resumption.
Furner and the Butcher of S'Algar took to the field and immediately set the tone with Furns hitting both openers over the top of mid off before mis-timing one into the gully region.
Stavros joined JR and despite his long journey down from Durham, looked very comfortable becomming the mainstay of the MOGS reply.
Shortly after the 50 was brought up, JR danched down the wicket to be bowled for a well struck 28 and Faceman and Stavros took the MOGS forward to the 20 overs with 140 needed.... so with the batting line up stretching down to the stiffening skipper the chase was on....
Faceman perished, not for the first time this season getting in then hitting in the air to cover, lusty blows from Li Li and Brownie kept things interesting until Stavros perished going for one big hit too many... to be bowled for an excellent 80!
Brownie, Tharpy and Joseph valiantly kept things ticking over but with 3 overs left Moss returned to haunt the MOGS again by taking the final 2 chances offered and it was another victory for Headley!
The MOGS took there initial revenge by drinking there hosts out of bitter, whilst consuming the sausage sandwiches gleefully!
We will return on 26th September to toast the end of the season with the seasonal Black Velvets, although how many of the opposition will be able to partake is yet to be determined.
Faceman
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