It is with mild trepidation that I begin this report.
Having to achieve the standard of wit & eloquence set by my predecessors is no easy task, but here goes!!
A depleted mogs side was comfortably bolstered by K.Strutt(on loan from Tadworth), W.Edlin & D.Stevens(Honeyfields pals), more of them later. Tharpy, mogs third captain in as many weeks, won the fourth toss in succession and messrs Furner & Fairclough took to the field at 14:21L. Runs came slowly but surely for the first 3 overs, but alas for Furns(9) a certain Mr.Skywalker must have borrowed 'the force' at 14:34L for it was at that time the aforementioned began his walk back to the pavilion. On arrival the mogs were reliably informed that, YES yoda did wear a box, and that it was with this box that the ball 'had a meeting' on it's way through to the timbers.
So 9-1 Fairclough was joined at the crease by the Chairman who waited patiently for the right ball to plant over the boundary for 6, runs came relatively slowly with the sun continually threatening to break through. D.Martin(8)was bowled by a vicious leg stump Yorker, a ball by his own admission "always got him".
Ben had been involved in no less than four partnerships before succumbing to the oppo's flame haired youngster for 38, a vital innings in the top order as was D.Stevens 2 from 26.
Tharpy seemed to be in then out for 9 & K.Strutt in & out for 2 previously, the mogs batting seemed in sync with the sun & at 95-6 we looked a bit shaky.
Enter Jimmy (Freddie Flintoff) Honeyfield who delighted the crowd with a 6 off his 5th ball. Jimmy and his chum Will Edlin then proceeded to demoralise the teddington bowlers for the next 45minutes, at this stage the oppo attack were heard to be professing a distinct lack of enthusiasm to bowl.
Honeyfield holed out for 49 from 41, I myself hardly troubled the scorers although I did give Teddingtons youngest catching practice!!
Will Edlin had bought with him his cats 9 lives (dropped 4 times) but carried his bat for an excellent 35 from 31. Mogs sat down to another fine tea with the innings closed on 183-8.
It is worth pointing out at this stage that the comment of the day had come in the middle of the innings, it was one of Edlins cats lives used up that prompted Yoda out of repose: "Urgghh... c**p cricket, c**p ball, c**p shot, c**p catch"
It was pointed out that technically it wasn't a catch as the ball had been spilled.
Myself and Keith softened up the openers to enable 'our own freddie'honeyfield to achieve his rightful man of the match award with figures of 13-03-42-5, & with Tharpy on at the other end returning figures of 9.4-2-31-4 there was little hope for Teddington.
Teddington had seen the openers off but were not comfortable, the change of attack reaped instant reward with Dave Stevens taking a fine catch at cover point to give "Freddie" his first victim. Next, the other opener unsuccessfully attempted to beat Ben on the long on boundary, a superb catch made to look easy 52-2.
Mogs were sharp & hungry in the field with the oppo refusing to take quick singles to the panther like Chairman. Teddingtons no3 valiantly battled away but could only stand & watch as five of his team came & went. Even he was helpless to defend a fierce offcutter from "freddie". All this time tharpy had been trapping batsmen Lbw & caught behind. A superb run out from a Will & Will combo left Teddington 101-8.
Tharpy took his second catch of the match to give "Freddie" his 5th wicket.
The skipper then deceived the oppos no11 with a flighted delivery leaving the Colonel to finish off another fine display behind the sticks with a sharp stumping. A few of the mgs were slightly disappointed to find the bar bereft of lager but did not let it dampen spirits. Joseph"the offbreak"lewis
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