Debut: Edward Brew
The Mogs secured their first win of the Season on a chilly, overcast afternoon at Tadworth. Pre-match, the Mogs were in the Clubhouse looking at a scorecard between our hosts and ourselves that dated back to 1949, where Tadorth's 75 runs proved 3 too many for ourselves. Having won the toss we elected to field first but before play commenced, the Mogs XI were joined by Chairman Martin and the lives of Bill Hollis and Tim Barnes were remembered, both men having contributed enormously to the success of the Club and who played in that fixture. James Brooker & Joseph Lewis opened the bowling and James snared the first 2 wickets, one bowled and one plumb LBW. Joseph also joined the action, courtesy of a full toss being mis-hit to cover and at 60-3, our hosts were in trouble. Harry Hewitt replaced James and found senior cricket a little harder than the schoolboy matches he is used to and his first over disappeared for 16. Each over he bowled was better than the last however, with the Mogs fielders supporting him admirably in the field, led by another Father & Son combination in Ali & (son) Edward Brew. It was great having 2 twelve year olds hurling themselves around for the Mogs. Tharpy replaced Joseph and also found the going a bit tough before his experience told and he collected a couple of routine wickets in a customary display of wily, slow swing bowling. Alex Hewitt replaced his son from the sightscreen end and took 3 quick wickets, 2 of which were caught & bowled and the other pouched at slip by Lewis. Tadworth were 8 down by then and Harry had a second go at securing his first ever wicket for the Mogs which he did, bowling Tadworths no 10 middle stump - the first of many hopefully. Our hosts innings was ended when (you read this correctly) Peter Furner ran out their No 11 who was slower at running than Peter was at collecting the ball and underarming it in to Colonel Parker behind the stumps, who was excellent behind the stumps all day.
After a typically good tea (fresh sandwiches, hot quiche & sausage rolls, fresh fruit and jam tarts) the Mogs set about our task of securing the 154 runs in 40 overs for our first win of the season. A new opening partnership of Furner and Brooker realised 80 good runs with Brooker in particualr impressing with a series of cuts, cover drives and one imperious straight 6 which is unlikely to be bettered all season. Within sight of a debut 50 he lost his wicket but this brought Ben Fairclough in, keen to make up for a filthy over of legspin and a dropped catch earlier in the day. Make up for it he did with a buccaneering 50, though not before he broke his bat, making it an expensive Sunday afternoon. Furner spooned a catch to point for a Boycottian 36 and Paul Fisher joined Fairclough and these two professionals administered the final rites speedily, much appreciated by the small yet freezing audience.
Beer was taken with our friendly hosts and plans were hatched to continue our winning run against Headley next Sunday.
MWCC Stats