The Matthew Lewis Memorial Shield was retained as the Mogs extended their unbeaten start to the season on a sun-filled afternoon at Quality Street. In a low-scoring game the Mogs batted first on a turgidly slow wicket that made shot making very dificult. No Mog passed 50 but 30's from Turner & Freeland, 20's from Cooper & Dave Tharp and useful contributions from everyone else, saw us reach 175, which the older Mog players felt was a more than respectable score against a good probing Merstham attack. Two additional point sof interest - Freeland was unable to bat at the fall of the first wicket due to intestinal failure. Joseph's running out of Andy Tharp produced a not seen before fury from the Mogs vice captain.
A delicious tea was taken and Hewitt challenged the Mog warriors to put in a big effort in the field. Our bowlers responded brilliantly with Joseph snaring two excellent wickets "in the office" and Jimmy also bowling Merstham's No 3. After 16 overs our hosts were 39-3 and the run rate was above 5. Andy & Ben replaced our openers and settled into a steady rythm with Andy's wobbly darts particularly dangerous, one of which produced a stumping chance, which Colonel Cuzza accepted as gratefully as he might a prawn phal at Mr Ahmed's.
Victory was still within Merstham's reach particularly with our catching being below our usual high standards. Dave Tharp replaced Ben and had no fewer than 5 catches spilled, 2 of which were absolute sitters, shelled by Cooper & Furner. Cooper made up for his fielding with another excellent spell of off spin bowling taking 4 wickets, the best of which was a tremendous catch by Joseph at square leg.
Victory was secured in the last over and the Mogs accepted the Shield in front of Matthew's family, friends and dozens of Merstham and Mogador supporters. As always it was super game played in the best of spirits. Next stop Leigh.
Chief Curry Officer's Report
Following the conclusion of an excellent day's cricket at Merstham which saw us retain the coveted Matthew Lewis trophy, the curry section assembled at Golden Curry at around 2130 as is customary before all Bank Holidays during the season. The Merstham game is always played in great spirits by both sides to the memory of a legend at the two clubs and so a wide and eclectic collection of players and spectators presented themselves for feasting after the conclusion of drinking at Quality Street. At the senior end of the scale we were led by our Chairman DL Martin, supported by fellow septuagenarian Peter Tharp. Players from the day included Vice Captain Andy Tharp, Dave Tharp, Joe Lewis, Team Secretary, Committee Member Richard Turner, Hon. Auditor Ben Fairclough, Will Cooper and your correspondent and we were ably supported by MWCC Wags, Francesca Lewis, Ro Cooper and the youngest Wagette making her debut at senior MWCC curry level, Emily Parker, aged 17 years and 170 days. A special mention should also be made for Ali Kershaw who, immediately following a Virgin Atlantic fear of flying course at Birmingham Airport in preparation for their antipodean trip to see the Lions, decided to test her fear of driving and made it down to Reigate in 1 hour 17 minutes to be at the curry; something to be congratulated on by the Club but less, perhaps, by Oxfordshire Traffic Police.
As always the food and hospitality served up by Mr Ahmed and his chefs was of the highest order. It needs to be recorded that Dave Tharp, following a consultation with the CCO, asked Mr Ahmed for a Chilli Chicken Bhuna (Vindaloo Hot) but on receipt of this steaming dish politely returned it for further chilli injection to bring it up to the required heat, something rarely seen on the curry circuit but to be commended when it does. As usual there was a goodly degree of consumption of hop based products and the assembled party retired replete and in good cheer at around 2315 hrs. As testament to a good evening the Vice Captain received this text from Turner the next morning "The latest weather report for South Nutfield, sponsored by Golden Curry, very breezy with hailstorms."
MWCC Stats