Another great run-chase results in a second glorious victory at Horsham on the county ground and the creation of new legends...
With a wicket apparently promising plenty of runs, skipper Matt Lewis won a good toss on a warm but bearable afternoon. Toby Briggs was a quick and accurate opener, but his Saturday line did not trouble the timber and the oppo were unwilling or unable to lay an edge on him. Probably just as well for the Mogs were definitely shy of catches early on, either too sharp or too sunny. At the other end Darrell found a bit more interest in the pitch, which seemed to have Trent Bridge problems (ie lack of binding and so breaking top) and bagged a couple of wickets albeit at some expense. Matt held a good catch but retired briefly for repairs.
Jo Lewis and Andy Tharp kept a measure of control after the drinks interval and Andy showed how to bag wickets - catch it yourself! In the same over their no 4 thrashed him high and handsome in the general direction of long off (over the sun-shaded Furn's head anyway); captain Matt set off from deepish mid-on towards deepish mid-off at lightening speed to pull off an astounding catch, amazingly a carbon copy of the legendary Johnnie Parker one at Redruth in 1991. There is no doubt in the minds of those who witnessed both that this was the equal. Sadly Matt had to repair to Crawley Hospital for repairs which will keep him out for a few weeks.
The Mog effort in the field held up well with some good ground fielding and chasing and a top quality run-out from an Andy Tharp throw from the deep. Peter Martin and Keith Briggs bowled tidily to fields well set by stand-in captain Darrell and were rewarded with a wicket each. The Mogs did well to restrict Horsham to 235-6 in 42 overs.
The declaration seemed very fair if not generous for an 6.30 and 20 finish, but some way into our opening stand it transpired that it was for 6.15 and 20. Peter Furner and Stuart Jackson had taken a somewhat leisurely start before they realised the position. Stuart was clearly not in good nick but battled manfully and applied the accelerator to notch 42. Young Briggs entered and immediately lifted the scoring rate, also by pushing Furns to get to his 50 first. Toby made his 50 in just 25 balls emulating the Chairman's effort at East Horsley. Furn's ran out of steam at 70.
The Chairman was dispatched to see the ship home ( ie to run like a hare with 46 still required from 6 overs). Well, he barely laid bat on ball, and was forced to craft 7 leg-byes from 5 balls, and to run at least five rapid twos, but Toby was maintained on strike. Toby smote 35 off 11 balls to reach exactly 100 in 47 balls including six awesome sixes (for one skyer two were run before the missile effected re-entry); and a win for the Mogs by 8 wickets with 3 clear overs to spare. Absolutely a legendary innings and probably the fastest 100 for the Mogs.
Memo to selectors - it could be tough next year, if they remember...
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