<p>As the ancient Sussex downs rise in the distance the prospect of a spending a day as guests at Ditchling cricket club heart fills the heart with joy. On arrival, a pint of Harvey's Sussex Ale (thought by many to be the nearest modern day equivalent to the fabled nectar of the Gods) ladles another layer of contendedness on the soul, and come 2 o'clock last Sunday - as the sun broke through the clouds - cricketing perfection beckoned for the Mogs.</p>
<p>However, like a badly balanced canoe, cricket is a game that rewards over-relaxation with the threat of sudden capsizing, and a number of the Mogs top order found themselves turning-turtle in the opening overs. 'Action' Jackson found the outside edge with an ambitious drive whilst Furner fell exhibiting an excess of joie-de-vivre first seen the previous week at Headley. Ex-Esher team-mates Goulstone and Freeland survived first stroke nominations of square-cut and on-drive respectively to prosper briefly and cheerfully before the former dispatched the latter with a straight drive onto the stumps via a startled bowlers hand for 21. Thanks.</p>
<p>Fearful of the penalty he would have to pay for this ghastly error, Goulstone continued to stroke aggressively (as he is wont to do) including a murderous drive over long on that missed the bowler's family by two feet. The vengeful bowler Jones snared him in the next over for 31, and after a briefly entertaining pair of 20's from Tharp and Lewis, it was left to the veteran Frank 'Ol' Blue Eyes' Jackson (30*) to steady the ship and then build to respectibility with debutant James Brooker(13*) who played some quality cricket shots in an innings that showed the future of the Mogs is in secure hands.</p>
<p>191-8 declared from 41 overs seemed a reasonable score on a difficult wicket, but after a truly monstrous tea the air of contentment was palpable, and '2nd scone' syndrome was evident in the Mogs opening 30 overs.</p>
<p>Briggs bowled with his usual heart and enthusiasm but was unable to find the right spot, whilst Rice resembled the pudding variety as he struggled to cope with the slippery conditions (in stark contrast to his performance at Coldharbour). Freeland was similar ineffective and openers 'Major' Prickett and Ledsom compiled an untroubled century partnership from the first 25 overs.</p>
<p>With prospects looking bleak, the fiery captain 'Lothario' Lewis M finally seized the game by the ball and took over at the pavillion end only to be ferociously driven to the boundary first ball by Ledsom. He was to make ammends with a plumb lbw shortly afterwards as the left hander departed for a hard hit 60, and with Prickett back on the benches for 57, the straight forward task of scoring 50 runs from 15 overs fell to the host's middle order.</p>
<p>However, as many a batsman will attest, Lewis M has an inextinguishable resource of competitive spirit, and as he spun away two more wickets so Tharp supported from the Archery end with another wicket. However it was the re-introduction of Rice that truly turned the tide, and with a lightning spell of 3-2 from 4 coruscating overs (including a broken bail forced into the ground a full 40 yards behind the wicket) the hosts were repelled and teetered to 177-7 from their remaining overs for a hard fought but ultimately frustrating draw.</p>
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