The Mogs arrived at Leigh looking to get back to winning ways following the close defeat at Merstham a week earlier. The hot weather meant the whole team were hoping that the toss would be won, however this was not to be the case and the Leigh decided to bat first in a 40 over game.
James Brooker and Charlie Lee opened the attack, and there was drama straight away. The third ball from James was sliced to Ash Bukhari in the gulley and the sharp chance was spilled and in the process the webbing on Ash's hand was split to the bone and he left the field and then on to East Surrey to have the wound fixed. Both openers bowled well and were rewarded with a wicket apiece. Charlies wicket came from probably the ball of his lifetime, and in-swinging delivery that pitched on middle and took the top of off stump (if only he could do that more often!!).
After 9 overs, Tharpy decided that a change in approach was required and opted for a double change and brought on Will Cooper and Phil Davies to the attack. Special mention to Phil who turned out for the Mogs having flown over from Miami overnight, and was somewhat bereft of sleep. Top effort Phil! Both Will and Phil were able to slow the scoring down as well as taking regular wickets, and after 25 overs Leigh were in the perilous position of being 70 odd for the loss of 7 wickets, Phil finishing with figures of 2 for 7 off his 8 overs and Will 3-24 off his.
Tharpy and Murali then came into the attack, and this was when Leigh unleashed their secret weapons, their number 9 and 10, who both should have batted higher. They hit some lust blows in a rear-guard action, that added another 70 odd runs off the last 11 overs before Tharpy was able to take 3 quick wickets and wrap the Leigh inning up for a total of 147 in 36.5 overs.
Tea was a simple but lovely offering of ham, cheese, pasta salad and fresh fruit, and fully replete the Mogs opening batsmen of Peter Furner and James Brooker (in the absence of Ash who was still at East Surrey) strode to the crease to begin the chase of Leighs total. Both batsmen were able to negotiate the opening spell and James was soon stroking the ball to the boundary whilst Peter was anchoring the innings as he so often does for us. James was out for well made 21, and that brought Tombsy to the crease and he looked in great nick as he was soon hitting the ball to the boundary, however his promising innings was cut short prematurely when he was caught behind.
Next in was debutant Rob Baxter, sporting a colourful cap, he showed off his hockey background with a number of well timed "bottom hand" hits that found the boundary regularly. Peter Furner's stay was brought to an end when he was lbw to the Leigh skippers 1st ball of the game, and when Rob Baxter departed for a well-made 30, and Murali soon after for 1, the Mogs were 100 odd for the loss of 5 wickets with 12 overs remaining. Will Cooper was joined by Tharpy and they took the score on to 125 when Will was out, but not before recreating the scenario from Rottingdean almost a decade ago, by smashing an on drive straight at Tharpy who this time was just able to get an arm in the way of the ball smashing into his head!
Charlie and Andy took the Mogs to the brink of victory, Charlie hitting a fine six towards the pavilion, before both were out leaving Phil and the Colonel to see us home with 1 over to spare. Special mention to Ash Bukhari, who on his return from the hospital, not only umpired for 10 overs but as we were losing our last few wickets even got padded up aka Malcom Marshall to bat if needed with 1 hand!
The Mogs won another close game at Leigh, and we were able to enjoy a few cans of Fosters with the oppo on the glorious evening sunshine. Next up is Brook, here's hoping we can secure another win!
Report by Andy Tharp
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