The Mogs travelled the short distance (for some) to the Red Lion in Betchworth for their fixture against Reigate Pilgrims on Sunday, with rain falling and the outlook not great. However come 1.45pm the rain stopped and Andy was able to win the toss, and with 5 members of the team still waiting for their lunch to arrive at the aforementioned pub, had no other option but to bat first.
Ali Brew was Peter Furner's 5th different opening partner this season and both of them saw off a tricky opening spell form the Pilgrims openers, before upping the run rate with some excellent driving on a two paced pitch. The hundred partnership was bought up in the 21st over, and soon after Ali went to his first Mog 50 with a 4 to the longest boundary. Peter soon followed Ali to his 50, and the pair looked well set until Ali was caught on the mid on boundary for an excellent 58. This brought new boy Dave Hughan to the crease, cheered on by his entourage of supporters who had come to see him make his debut.
Peter was not able to hang around with Dave, as he was run out for 51 by a direct hit from Si Arnold, attempting a tight 2nd. Not content with this, Will Cooper was the 2nd "victim" when he too was run out by Si Arnold attempting a second run, Dave quickly earning the same status as Furns for having the knack of being involved in run-outs! 141-3 became 145-4 when Dave was caught off the bowling of Arnold for 11, and a few of the Mogs were getting anxious as they have been known to fold from similar positions.
However James Tombs and Graham Spring had other ideas and they shared a 55 run partnership in 9 overs, both batsmen particularly harsh on anything short or over pitched, Graham hit 2 big sixes and James some exquisite cover drives. Patrick Graham joined Graham once James had been dismissed for 30, and the 2 Grahams added another 32 runs in 6 overs allowing Andy to declare on 232-6 off 40.4 overs.
Tea was taken, and at 5.15pm the Mogs retook the field keen to bowl as many overs as possible back at the Pilgrims, knowing that getting 10 Pilgrim wickets is never easy. Chris Mankelow and Joe Lewis opened up for the Mogs and were both soon bowling excellent line and length along with movement in the air and off the seam. Joe thought he had struck first when the Pilgrim opener "Mango" edged a ball straight into the bucket hands of Andy at 1st slip, only for the batsmen not to walk and the umpire's finger not raised. He didn't have to wait too long to get his revenge however as in the next over Mango was dispatched lbw. After 15 overs the Pilgrims were 49-1, when Joe got his 2nd wicket when he bowled a peach and had the other opener caught behind by Colonel Parker.
Patrick and Will were introduced to the attack after 16 overs, and both continued the excellent work set by Joe and Chris, Patrick getting 2 wickets to leave Pilgrims 91-4 after 27 overs, needing a further 141 runs off 13. It was clear that a run chase was not going to be on the cards, so innovative field settings were required to snare the remaining 6 wickets. What was also needed was for Will to bowl probably one of his best spells for the Mogs, which he duly did bowling 10.4 overs and claiming 5-19. Dave Hughan also took a debut wicket, and the Mogs were able to claim victory with 3 overs remaining.
Beer was consumed in the Red Lion garden, and we look forward to travelling to Horsley and Send next week. Thanks go to John Moulton for scoring, and to the many supporters who were there during the day!
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