The Mogs' promising early season start continued with a convincing victory against an Ockley side ebullient from signing sponsorship deals with Fred Perry and Gola trainers. In a match as one sided as they come, little mercy was spared by a Mogs side frenzied with the taste for early beer and curry.
Holding his first born in one hand and a pint of London Pride in the other, Hewitt negotiated the toss and elected to bat on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Opening the batting, Jackson and Furner initially found it hard going on a pitch that offered plenty of encouragement to the bowlers. Thankfully Jackson (who had displayed the deftness of touch of a thrash metal guitarist) succumbed for just 2, leaving the way clear for Tharp and Furner (a.k.a. Yoda) to develop a burgeoning 2nd wicket partnership. Tharp's scoring (38 from 43 balls, fall of wicket: 74-2) created momentum after this previously lack lustre start. Fresh from his training mission in Dagobah, Yoda (51 from 83 balls) maintained Tharpy's momentum, alongside a brief flurry from Honeyfield (5) and more sustained hitting from Hewitt (39 from 27 balls). When Hewitt eventually holed out in the outfield, the Mogs found themselves on 136 for 5 after 30 overs and well placed to mount a challenging total on a tricky pitch. With the clock ticking, the Mogs' accomplished middle order reached for the accelerator but spluttered somewhat adding only 25 further runs in 8 overs. Ockley's fielding, which was as tidy as their cricket kit was not, certainly helped and included 5 fine outfield catches, leaving the Mogs all-out for a total of 161.
The Mogs' confidence was palpable as they strode onto the field. Leading the charge on the bowling front were the Lewis brothers and a bowling style from siblings never seen before in Surrey Village Cricket; "aggressive medium fast off breaks". Matt's first delivery turned square against a bemused Ockley opener and was followed by Tharpey's comment that this was the most he had seen Matt turn the ball in 15 years of cricket (other comments as to this being the first ball he had ever seen turn from Matt were also heard from Abbott). Will's retro golden 1970 disco gloves shimmered with anticipation as the wickets started to tumble. Watched by their proud father Alan, Matt and Jo start to ransack the opposition. Matt was egged on by a garrulous "office" consisting of 3 slips, a gully and Yoda's shin pads. Jo at the other end hit double figures on the speed gun and is rumoured not to have sworn throughout his entire spell of 8 overs.
The wickets fell quickly and at alternate ends reducing Ockley to 19 for 4 of their first 10 overs. This was Mogs' cricket at its finest watched by legends of yesteryear (Bob Adam and Major) and the future (Oscar Lewis and Harry Hewitt). Matt and Jo continued this assault systematically by alternating their wicket taking to leave the scene set for a 5 wicket haul for each of the off-breaking brothers. Matt, sensing history in the offing, then announced an inducement of a £40 contribution to the kitty if the brothers picked up a pair of "Pfeiffers". The Mogs already professional in their fielding (including excellent catching by the Chairman, Mossy, Hewitt and Honeyfield) needed no further encouragement. The final wicket was taken by Jo who lured the local blacksmith into launching a ball deep into the outfield. Running round the boundary, Honeyfield took a spectacular catch to capture the final wicket and dismiss Ockley for just 34. The catch itself caused debate in the clubhouse as it was considered in hushed tones to be worthy of mention alongside Parker W's legendary catch against Redruth in the early 90s and Matt Lewis' catch against Horsham a few years ago. Statisticians, aided by a super computer, believe that two records may also have also have been shattered on this historic afternoon - (1) first occurrence of two brothers - Matt Lewis (5 for 11) and Jo Lewis (5 for 22) paying £20 each to the kitty! and (2) lowest total by the opposition.
The game was over by 6.30 pm and with the prospect of a Bank Holiday weekend a call to cuzza was issued from the Colonel. All in all a highly enjoyable afternoon was had by all that augurs well for the coming season. Bring on Woldingham !!!
MWCC Stats