<p>Having received the shock news on the morning of the fixture that MDP Lewis was unable to play due to parental duties, Darrel 'Dark Lord' Abbot had the honour of leading a star studded Mog side to the battlefield of Leigh Cricket Club.</p>
<p>It has to be remembered at this time, that the previous year, Mogs managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with some assistance from the batsman-unfriendly Leigh track. For film buffs this victory could have be likened to Steve McQueen's "Great Escape", however as many of those buffs will know, he did end up getting captured in the end after some spectacular but ultimately futile stunts. This probably best reflects Mogs 2005 fixture.</p>
<p>The day started in normal Mog fashion, with several 'lively ones' being consumed at the friendly and hospitable Seven Stars Public House. After having lost the toss, it was an interesting decision to note that the opposition decided to bat on a track that seemed so green that Peter Furner was busy placing an order with 'Chain Mail R Us' for a couriered suit for 4pm, to match his oft-derided shin-pads.</p>
<p>Nevertheless the opening attack of Lewis J and Briggs managed to restrict the run rate whilst removing the early upper order of Leigh batting attack. Andrew 'Banana Ball' Tharp, and James 'Firebrand' Honeyfield, further restricted the Leigh middle order and successfully weedled through both overs and wickets with the support of the skipper of the day, to satisfactorily conclude the Leigh innings at *****.</p>
<p>At tea a confident skipper felt that the Mogs had fielded with the venom necessary to win the game, it was now up to the revered Mogador batting line up to do it's job.</p>
<p>This was categorically the high point of the day for the debutant Mog general Abbot. Following in the footsteps of Marshall Nee at the battle of Waterloo in 1815 as Wellington's army retreated over the brow of the ridge line, he decided this was the time to launch the cavalry. However as the Mog lancers crossed the brow of the hill at full charge, they found to their absolute horror that the Leigh footsoldiers had managed to successfully 'form-square' on our forlorn cavalierish charge.</p>
<p>As batsmen came and went, notable highlights were few and far to remember other than Ben Fairclough's gallant, if ultimately futile, innings full of stylish drives. It has to be said that the Leigh bowlers were helped by a recognisable quantity of pitch assistance, as described by one startled Mog as "having the bounce of the skipper carrying out a bungee jump with the omission of the elastic!"</p>
<p>Needless to say the Mogs fell short of the target, with a floundering total of *******. All agreed that the Mogs really could and should have done better, although many comforted themselves that a new and significant leader was born. However a potentially nasty situation when he was compared to a 'young Winston' was diffused when it was pointed out that this referred to Churchill rather than a Jamaican cousin wanted for 'transportation offences'.</p>
<p>Note to diary for next year - bat first!!!!</p>
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