Format: 40 overs. Mogs batted for 37.2 overs
The Matthew Lewis Memorial trophy game resulted in a high scoring game at Quality Street - which was greatly supported all afternoon.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl in windy conditions, the Mogs never hit their line and lengths and Merstham roared off to 7 an over. Calafato picking up a wicket.
The introduction of Andy Tharp led to some significant ‘banana swing’ deliveries from the golf course end, getting Shetty out LBW for 34. Joe Lewis was tossed the ball for the top end - coming off his 4 pace run up - a reduction of 90% off his original run up but still managing to bowl the same pace of 51 mph.
Both Andy and Joe brought the run rate down, however Mrs Miggins’ Pie Shop was offering a juicy 25% discount off all deliveries and anything short or over-pitched was dispatched to all parts of the ground. Jones and Chintakunta put on an impressive 111 partnership. Faceman and Loft bowled good in parts but boundaries kept coming. Pullen and Coles bowled the last phase of the innings and Merstham finished on 265 off their 40 overs.
Merstham kindly put on a tea for the players - a last minute request which was duly granted after a generous donation to the heavy roller Just Giving page from the Mogs. The tea was familiar to one provided by Merstham tea lady legend Rosemary Attridge - with many flavours of sandwiches, hot sausage rolls and pizza slices, and mini-bakewell tart cup cakes. Thank you Merstham for this special effort.
Furner and Turner opened for Mogs once again - discussing on the way to the crease the need for positive shot making and ensuring scoreboard ticked over. Tina called Peter for an impossible single and he was was run out for 1. Pullen went for 5 and Ben Willis was bowled 1st ball with an absolute beauty from Carter. Mogs were 37 for 3.
Oscar joined Tina, managing to tuck his full blonde mullet mane under his batting helmet. He survived the hat trick ball by the thinnest of margins and they put on 62 for the 4th wicket before Turner was bowled for 34.
Oscar switched to ‘aerial combat mode’ and anything was fair game. Occasionally switching to his Dad’s bat only to realise it was a plank, he scored at pace. Matt was definitely looking over his son from above, as Oscar was repeatedly dropped time and time again by the Merstham fielders. Even a cat eventually runs out of lives and Oscar was eventually caught, having scored 80 off 55 balls.
The best MOGS innings of the game came from 17 year old Will Loft. Lofty kept the score ticking over and played a superbly measured innings of 45. The target was in sight and Neil Coles played some super attacking shots. After the fall of Lofty, ex-Merstham stalwarts Tharp and Lewis came and went without troubling the scorers - Mogs fell 28 runs short with Coles stranded on 33 not out.
Tina presented the trophy to Merstham who were worthy winners. He also paid tribute to Matt Lewis and told the supporters and Merstham a few stories about our dear friend. Matt will always be dearly missed.
MWCC Stats