The Mogs arrived at the beautiful Park Lane ground, or as it is locally known "Venue of Legends" for their first game against the Reigate Priory Cavaliers. Word had obviously not filtered through to the Priory that the Mogs were in town as the bar was closed and would not be opening until 4pm! How were the 11 players going to cope without the pre-requisite 2 pints of hop based product before the match!!
Skipper Andy Tharp strode out to the middle for the toss of the coin, called correctly and without hesitation decided to bat first (he was aware that over 550 runs had been scored the day before!!). Furner and Freeland strode out to open the innings and it was soon apparent that it was not as easy to score as was imagined, the Cavaliers opening pair bowled an excellent line and length and after 7 overs we were 13-0. This soon became 14-1, as Jamie was excellently caught at a short midwicket by the Cavaliers overseas pro from Sri Lanka. 14-1 soon became 26-3 as first Peter was lbw for 14 (nb and no complaint either!! Surely a 1st) and Dave Stevens bowled trying a heave over midwicket. Phil Staverley and Fraser Larke steadied the ship for the next 12 overs, adding 44 runs through some fine shots by Fraser and strike rotation by Phil. Phil was the next to go for a patient 13, and when Darrell Abbott was out for a duck, clean bowled by a good yorker the Mogs were stuttering at 74-5 off 24 overs.
However as we all know, this is where the Mog spirit comes to the forefront, and what followed was a magnificent 100 partnership in 15 overs between Fraser and Richard Brown. Some clean hitting (Fraser even hit a ball into the Blue Anchor garden for 6), good running (including an all run 4) were the base to this partnership. Fraser was next out trying to force the pace further for an excellent 84, and was soon followed by Richard for a well made 47. James Honeyfield and Charlie Lee took the score to 197, and when Charlie was lbw for 7 Andy Tharp decided to declare the innings to give the Mogs time to try to bowl them out.
Following a splendid tea, the Mogs slowly took the field to attempt to bowl the Cavaliers out and record their 5th win on the bounce. Joe Lewis and Darrell Abbott opened the bowling and Joe struck in the 1st over removing Hook for a duck 1st ball when he missed a straight full one to be adjudged lbw. Darrell on the other hand was having one of those days, bowling an excellent spell for no luck. 4 dropped catches and some streaky strokeplay left poor old Darrell cursing his luck, the batsmen and fielders in equal measure. He will bowl a lot lot worse than this and take wickets, today was not his day. However, he was soon to remind the fielders how to catch when Joe struck again with a leg side full toss that was smashed straight to Darrell at fine leg. The cry of "Oh God" when he realised that it was coming in his direction didn't help everyone's nerves, but he plucked the ball out of the air and the Cavs were 43-2 after 9.
After 16 overs the Cavs had reached 70-2 and a change was needed, Jamie Freeland and Andy Tharp took the cherry, and Jamie struck 1st removing the very lucky opener for 37 when he clean bowled him. 75-3 became 92-4 in the 21st over when Andy removed Hearn for 4 lbw. However the dangerous Johnson was still in, and with at least 19 overs left and less than a run a ball required, the game was in the balance. Jamie had the Cavs skipper Joel Miller caught behind for 1, and when Andy clean bowled Lewis for 1 to leave the Cavs 122-6 the game had started to swing in favour of the Mogs.
It turned even more in our favour when the dangerous Johnson, prior to facing a delivery from Jamie, asked the umpire to keep an eye on Jamie's front foot! Yours truly gently reminded the batsmen to worry about his own game and let the umpire (we supplied both!) concentrate on the game. Jamie was less kind, bowling a fast leg side bouncer which Johnson snicked to Charlie. Johnson refused to walk initially, but was persuaded to leave after standing his ground for 15-20 seconds. 131-7 became 131-8 when next ball Jamie had Vyas caught at point by Andy and the Mogs began to relax. A mistake as their Sri Lankan overseas pro came in and hit a very entertaining 30, and with 37 needed from 42 balls it was getting close again. However 2 quick wickets put paid to the Cavs resistance and the game was won with 6 overs to spare. A great win for the Mogs, who would like to thank the numerous supporters who came to the game, it really makes a difference, and also to John Buchanan and Paul Ryder who umpired the game for us - another vital element of the Mogs and we really appreciate your efforts.
The Mogs now travel the short distance to Reigate Pilgrims, where they will hope to win the Peter Martin shield back after losing the inaugural match last year. Can they make it 6 wins in a row, come down and see!
A Tharp
MWCC Stats