Following on from the first win of the season against Tadworth, the MOGS ventured down the road to Merstham for the Matthew Lewis Memorial Shield. 3-1 up in the series and after heavy downpours decimated the Surrey cricketing calendar the previous day, the sun returned and the crowds flocked to Quality Street in the knowledge that Matthew's son - Oscar Jago-Lewis - was making his full MOGS debut.
2014's match was different in that the opportunity was taken to raise money for Winston's Wish - a child bereavement charity that has provided fantastic support to Camilla and Oscar.
A fantastic BBQ offering Homemade 'Pulled Pork' Baps, and Pat's famous butcher's Sausages and Burgers was provided and managed by Family Lewis under the ever watchful eye of Paul 'Torode' Saunders and players, family and friends from both sides tucked in for the cause....
(There was even a Menu & Price List displayed - such a professional outfit.... although a full audit has been commissioned against Francesca Lewis's book keeping....)
Whilst the MOGS Skipper did not actually know who would turn up to play given a few last minute changes, he did manage to lose the toss and MOGS were sent into the field as Merstham chose to bat first on what would prove to be a slow & hard scoring wicket...
Joseph opened up from the golf course end with new member Patrick Graham from Chertsey from the top end - how is it, the new boy always has to run into the wind.... and after a steady start, Joseph managed to get a ball to seam in, seam out, swing in, swing out and off break onto the top of the Merstham's skipper's off stump...
Joseph made way after 4 overs and James took over keeping things tight with Patrick who was rewarded in his final over when the Merstham's other opener hit towards the little maestro at mid off who juggled the ball as if on #BGT before using his fielding pads to knock it back into the air and take the catch.
Oscar was in the thick of things - wherever he was in the field, the ball followed him or he followed the ball, chasing it down and never letting it get to the fence - he set the standard!
Although some of the MOGS could not follow it as several chances both easy and difficult were grassed.
That said Skipper Tharp and his sometimes confused for twin kept things tight and striking at regular intervals with Joseph also returning to pick up another couple of rabbits before a last wicket stand between Chris 'The Power' Clayson and Merstham's No11 saw them post 164-9 from their 40 overs - Game on!
After a splendid tea including a variety of fresh sandwiches, cakes and not forgetting hot mini sausages, Shaq and Furns (MOGS - Tall and Small) strode to take up the challenge of the chase to Merstham.
Both were quickly into their strides hitting sumptuous cover drives... but both fell trying to clear the ring as the pitch stated grabbing the ball and soon MOGS were 3 down as JD played across a straight one bring Oscar striding to the wicket to join Faceman.
Merstham's bowlers decided that they needed to slow things down a little for Oscar but that proved foolish and as Oscar confidence grew, he started to pierce the covers on a regular basis before he too was trapped by the pitch and caught in the covers for a really well made 7 - a great debut innings that was duly given the standing ovation it deserved...
Faceman and Oscar had kept MOGS up with the rate with Faceman depositing the Merstham quick into the adjoining pitch and sending golfers running on the 18th tee of the local Reigate Hill golf course with some very big sixes.
Joined by the Skipper looking to take his tally for the year past last year's where he actually took more wickets that he scored runs... MOGS were left needing 50 from the last 10 overs.
Then disaster, as Faceman missed a straight one to be bowled for 55, Tharp D contributing 1 although no-one could remember him scoring the run including himself.... and then the skipper (32) and Patrick also falling with the finish line in sight!
All looked lost with 30 needed from 5 and just 2 wickets left but James and Joseph slowly brought this down to 16 from 2 overs - all results still possible!
James deposited the last ball of the penultimate over to the mid wicket boundary and it was 9 from the final over....
Wide, Single, Two, Dot, Single and......
4 needed off the last ball - above waste high beamer - No Ball..... 3 needed but alas through to the keeper and Merstham regained the shield with a narrow 2 run win....
Players and spectators alike gathered for the presentation of the shield but just as Tharpy was getting into his speech, the umpires were called back to the scorer for a stewards enquiry - was the result to change..... No!
The Shield was duly handed over to the ownership (for one year only) to Merstham skipper Jon White and both captains lauded the match, the crowd, the BBQ and the day in general especially the cause which saw close to £700 pounds raised for Winston's Wish.
MOGS retired to the bar to reflect on what might have been if Faceman had taken those 2 runs when he split the toe of his bat and umpire Moulton had not called successive dead balls mid innings....
Other Priceless Moments from the day:
Patsy - not taking the lens cap off for the team photo....
Alex Plumb - selecting the red wine in the raffle when daughter Georgie was shouting 'get the teddy' Mummy....
Oscar - Drawing 'Joseph' as first prize in the MOGS 50 Club
Oscar / Furns / Shaq - Picture of the year..... who has it - Patsy / Joseph?
MWCC Stats