Format: 40 overs. Ash Bhat retired out with 111 runs from 69 balls at the drinks break; the score then became 126 for 3 with 1 no ball, 1 wide and Phil Davies 13*.
Leigh recovered from 10 for 4 after 5.1 overs to win with 8 balls to spare; Ben Kinnear 98* and Joe Harrington 101.
Mogador Wanderers arrived at Leigh in what is always a high quality cricket match. 2022’s edition did not disappoint either.
Leigh were depleted with some unfortunate Covid cases but were able to combine forces with South Nutfield and a reunion of some old friends from our regular August bank holiday fixture. The Mogs also saw the return of Ash Bhat fresh from graduation, Phil Davies a new reinvention as a batsman and Josh Tombs, fresh from caddying for Trent Boult at a golf course far too expensive for you and me.
The Mogs won the toss and chose to bat. Two early losses dampened the mood slightly. Furner dismissed to a bullet throw from mid off to run him out early doors and Cooper edging one to gully. Phil Davies came in at 4 and crucially played a hand in a 120 partnership. By hand that would be backing up every 5th ball to what was one of the quite brilliant hundreds a Sunday cricket game will have seen for a long time. Ash Bhat, fresh from Durham training camp, now a “momentum-seizing†opening bat. Chanceless and brutal driving over the top of extra cover and through long on. These were pretty respectable bowlers too, not out of place on a Saturday league day, who have proven to be too good for MWCC on other occasions.
With the score 126 for 2 at drinks, Ash Bhat raised his bat and retired for a memorable 111. Incredible stuff! Phil and Ben Willis took over and continued in the same positive spirit, seeing off a tricky spell from a classy Birmingham Uni all rounder and keeping the run rate ticking over all the way. Then followed some positive 20s along the way. Josh Tombs smashing it to all parts along with the Hewitts including Alfie popping the ball in the farm across the road with his Dad’s Stac bat (if you know you know). Mogs finished 242 all out.
A quite brilliant opening bowling display from Harry and Alfie Hewitt was the second major highlight of the day. Pace, swing and bounce. Leigh were 10-4 then facing a period of recovery. Harry with 4 wickets to some unplayable deliveries and Alfie will bowl much worse than he did and take 6 one day. 2-39 not doing the opening spell justice that was simply unplayable.
We were then faced with an excellent middle order partnership combining patience with attacking strokeplay that ultimately became the Mogs undoing. A few dropped chances here and there but take nothing away from the placement and timing of the innings produced by Harrington (101) and Kinnear (98*). Some brilliant cricket played with Friend, Brooker and Cooper throwing everything they had at them sadly it was not to be. A couple of late wickets gave hope and produced a finish for the last couple of overs but credit to Leigh for a terrific game, ebbs and flows all the way through.
Thanks to Keith Briggs too for umpiring throughout the game and all supporters who came to watch.
MWCC Stats