Mog's big gun stands tall in face of Shock and Awe tactics
The Mogs once again showed their indomitable spirit with a fighting draw against another side studded with talented league cricketers. The president's decision to bowl first looked wholly justified by a pitch only identifiable by the presence of wickets at either end. However circumstances and some aggressive hitting quickly took the game away from the 'fielding' side (a term that should be used only loosely at present apart from the admirable 'Action' Jackson who covered at least 4.7 miles at deep mid-wicket, often in the pursuit of lost causes).
Lewis J's opening burst was halted at 4 overs for 27 after his cunning variations of pace were stymied by the howling gale in his face (and an all run 6!), but at the other end the thundering force known as Abbot unleashed some wind assisted swingers from his heavily tattooed shoulders. At first the pitch betrayed its verdant appearances by playing straight and true, but Freeland, scoring a bullseye on a mid-pitch plantain, finally got some life. A heroically unnecessary diving effort Parker W could not hold the resultant edge in front of first slip's knees, but the encouragement was there and Abbot took his cue, inducing a thick edge to Steve 'R' Kelly at 2nd slip who 'believed he could fly' and did, taking a great catch to his right.
Thereafter the Mogs reverted to capitulation mode as the bowlers were handed the kind of caning to be found advertised in numerous Soho phone booths. Under coal grey skies and the occasional freezing rain squall, the OW's amusingly named Australian Gillogly (112 no) and 'super confident' student Moore (101 no) merrily pinged the ball all round the ground, surrounding gardens and various parts of the car park / pavilion picnic area. What fun.
Figures of Briggs 6 overs for 74, Tharpe 7 overs for 56, Turner 5 overs for 30 and Freeland 9 overs for 40 tell only a fraction of the agony of the next hour, the lowpoint almost certainly being Furner's desperate dropped catch and Freeland's resultant impression of a small child having dropped a birthday lollipop (+ expletives). Mind you, he might have preferred the latter at mid-wicket given the greater potential of sticky hands.
Typically though Furner strode out confidently in pursuit of 277 with his regular partner 'R' Kelly, a term not overly familiar to our classy Scot who had greatly cheered Mog spirits during tea by sharing some 'pearls of wisdom' from a new non-Finnish girlfriend via mobile text message (note to commitee: please invite to next AGM!)
After an opening stand of 57, Furner departed when a rare airborne foray was snapped up at cover for 23 off 43 balls. 'R' Kelly departed next in typically cavalier style (charging their quick) to be bowled for 33 off 49 whilst Freeland fell victim to another brain melt for 19 off 39. Meanwhile Turner's private dancer impression came to nought - literally as he was bowled through some fancy footwork off his 8th delivery by their handily elastic leg spinner.
Whilst Tharp's 10 and Martin's 15 contained some brave thumps, it was the heroic Abbot who warmed Mogs hearts with a stylish and defiant 34 not out from 41 balls including a magically flicked six and a straight driven four that drew many eyes away from Kelly's text messages, all of which left all present hoping for more.
Typically,just as the sun came out the match finished and the Mogs ended this rather challenging day at 158-7, with Abbot their undbouted man of the match given his stylish innings and creditable 9 overs 1 for 33.
Jamie
MWCC Stats