A return to Horley after nearly 20 years was a welcome fixture due to the proximity of the ground to 6 local mog players.
Toss was won by skipper for the day Matt L and off went Darrell A and Peter F in to the fray on a rather green top - let battle commence - and we all slowly settled in for a batting & beer feast. Into the 18th over and Peter (36 or 38 - audit to be held at later date) nibbled one that went through the keepers gloves but ended up in first slips hands.
Up steps Mr. Toby Briggs (36) for his Mog debut, and with a mixture of timing, power and Stella challenge, he then proceeded to run poor old Darrell and the oppo ragged. Unfortunately the Stella challenge consumed him and some little 15year old took a great catch in the deep 10 yards short of 24 cans of lager.
At this stage Darrell was losing weight rapidly and had moved onto 70, when in came the man in form Andy Tharp to give mental encouragement to Big D. And off they went with great gusto hitting the ball almost to the boundary and taking 1 ( it was hot and there as no paramedic on standby). Darrell was going giving it his all at this stage and Andy was tickling singles, but one tickle too many and off to the pavilion he went for(26). Darrell needed 8 more for his first ton of the season and by god they took a while.
But with the last ball of the 39th over a big whirl and he was there HOORAY! Darrell 101 not out - his first Mog ton since West Horsley in 1994. Mogs go into tea 212-5.
Into the field the Mogs wandered full of enthusiasm and tea, Keith and Joe open the bowling very respectfully and the breakthrough comes with one of Joe's infamous off breaks disguised as an off break (works everytime) and we all sat around and listened...
Next it was Keith's turn - first one cleaned bowled and soon after his second "plum as you like except batsmen believed he'd hit it" (maybe after the ball had cannoned back off his pad), but luckily the umpire was having none of it and he was off. As I've mentioned already it was hot and the bowlers were a touch warm, so a double change in bowling sees Peter Martin & Jimmy Honeyfield on his last game for the season join the party.
Immediately they were getting stuck in and picking up wickets. Jimmy takes 3, 1 caught first slip, another to second slip and 3rd to silly 'shin-pads' at mid off (P Furner). Good darts Jimmy. From the other end Peter Martin with some good flight and straight on spin picks up three including a great catch at very short extra cover, one handed by Stuart Jackson - great take mate!
The last pair were niggling us and eventually it was time for a change Andy Tharp steps up to the plate and third ball (another off break) we're shaking hands and heading for the bar. Good fun day, a win and not a dropped chance. Hurrah!
MWCC Stats