The all-day game at Priory started with a sense of anticipation reminiscent of the first day of a Lords Test Match. Having won the toss, skipper Hewitt elected to field, trusting the new ball with Surrey's angriest medium pace bowlers, Messrs Freeland and Lewis.
Freeland, a veteran toy thrower since the early 1990s, was quick to bowl Wigley, a Priory first teamer. Lewis, not to be out done, then removed Hirst caught behind by Parker, leaving Priory 23 for 2. These dismissals bought to the crease a prodigious Priory teenage talent, Hall and second team captain Gale. These two ticked along nicely until Jackson swooped in from mid-wicket to run out Hall. Parker later charitably referred to Jackson as a specialist fielder. What else can you call someone who cannot bat and does not bowl?
The pick of the bowlers for the remainder of the Priory innings were spinners Hewitt (11 overs, 2-31) and Cooper (10.4 overs, 3-33). Their spells were interspersed with a tight ten overs from Tharp (10 overs, 0- 35) and some moments of brilliance from Lee (6 overs, 1-38) who seemed determined to dismiss the sledging from Brooker in the prior match report. Speaking of Brooker, he adapted quickly to his newfound status as an all-rounder by having his bowling hit all round the park in a thankfully brief spell.
The main talking point of the Priory innings was Briggs, the Priory captain and Mogador player, holing out on the boundary (bowled Cooper, caught Brooker) to leave Gale stranded not out on 97. Briggs' dismissal saw Reigate Priory bowled out for 241 in 53.4 overs, leaving the Mogs with a reasonable chase on a good wicket with a fast outfield.
In response, it is fair to say that the Mogs did not have their best day in the office. Although, Furner had spent most of the time in the field practising yoga, his flexibility could not help him avoid an LBW by the Priory captain seeking redemption for 'Sixgate'. Briggs then bagged Cooper for a 19 ball duck, leaving the Mogs at 17-2 and under serious pressure.
'Brownlee' Freeland, Brooker and Stevens all showed promised but never truly got into gear succumbing for 17, 20 and 12 respectively and leaving the Mogs teetering on 83 for 5. Respectability was only then salvaged by skipper Hewitt who batted carefully (by his own high octane standards) for 76 runs off 89 balls. With limited support for Hewitt, except from a brief contribution from Lee, the Mogs innings eventually fizzled out for 159 runs falling 82 runs short of the Reigate Priory target.
It is fair to say that there was not too much time for despondency post-match with the sun shining, beer flowing and with Mogs legends ubiquitous (Martin D, Hewitt Sr, Honeyfield Sr., Lewis Sr., Whitehurst, Richards J, Fairclough, all spotted amongst others).
If there were any lingering batting blues they were rapidly dispelled when 'Brownlee' Freeland scooped the top prize in the Mogs club draw and immediately pledged to reinvest his winnings in beer and curry.
Overall, most of the Mogs can take something out of the game apart from Tharp whose contribution of dropping Gale and then scoring a duck left him with a deficit of 97 runs and the honour of wearing Brut aftershave all evening.
Postscript - Lunch and curry report special
Lunch did not disappoint - notable highlights included the bacon quiche and silverskin onions. The silverskin onions proof that like Furner, the Mogs opener, good things can come in small packages.
Post match the Mogs headed to their curry mecca (Golden Curry, Reigate) looking resplendent in their Kazakhstani "tubeteika" felt hats supplied by the Butcher of Salgar, Jonathan Richards. Under the leadership of Colonel Cuzza, vindaloos were then dispatched to all corners of the restaurant with a vigour that was lacking in the earlier batting performance. Only a fitting toast to the Major from Club Chairman, David Martin, raised the tone of the proceedings.
Post dinner saw the 3rd annual Mogs v Reigate Priory eating competition. Unfortunately, the honours were won again by Reigate with Hoad beating Jackson in a contest to devour a plate of ice cream without the use of hands. Jackson's tactic of stuffing all the ice cream in his mouth in one go clearly requiring more thought. The evening then continued in various Reigate hostelries until the wee hours. A great evening and a fitting finish to a fantastic day.
Report by S Jackson
MWCC Stats