The Mogs got back on the winning trail again yesterday on a warm but overcast afternoon at Ditchling's pretty Rec Ground. Fortified at The Bull a strong Mogs XI lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a good wicket, which had been freshened up by rain the night before. The Ditchling opening bowlers were excellent and beat the bat on regular occasions, before Lee middled one, but straight to mid off. Toby Briggs came in at 3 and smashed a couple of giant boundaries before guiding one to gulley and Hewitt looked as if he was still in the South of France, before mercilessly having his middle stump removed. Fairclough was playing an attritional innings at the other end however and the Mogs scoreboard slowly made its way past the 100 mark despite the demise of Tharp, Jackson & finally Ben for an excellent 40. The Mogs bat all the way down however and lower innings ballast was provided in an excellent stand between Richards & Lewis with Joseph scoring his highest ever Mog score (in the UK) with an entertaining 42, the highlight being a reverse swept 6 (surely a first for MWCC?) which ensuresd that the tea break was taken with the Mogs posting 195 for 8.
As usual the Ditchling tea was sensational with excellent sandwiches, delicious chocolate cake and homemade scones with jam & cream providing fortification for the Mog warriors. Having lost this game last year, we were wary when our genial hosts put on 78 for the 1st wicket with Coxon & Lewis unable to provide the breakthrough despite a number of good balls. Keith Briggs & Tharp took over but still the break through did not come. Hewitt brought himself on and struck immediately with a sharp caught & bowled, followed by a catch at midwicket by Toby and a plum LBW. 78-0 turnmed to 89-3 and when Fairclough replaced Tharpy the end happened pretty quickly with Ben's Mitch Gaylord inspired legbreaks reaping the extraordinary figures of 4-3-1-4 and Hewitt finishing with 10-6-15-5. Lee chipped in with a wicket of his own courtesy of a fantastic leaping catch by Jackson at gulley and we retired to join our supporters at the bar with Lee particularly keen to make use of a Fairclough taxi service that is only seen once a year. The Ditchling skipper made a lovely speech offering the club's condolences to Matthew's family & friends with Hewitt replying on behalf of the Mogs to confirm what affection the club hold this fixture, both from a cricketing & social point of view. As the Harveys flowed a change in date was mooted for 2011 so that Ditchling could put out a stronger XI...roll on Newdigate - we seek revenge.
MWCC Stats