On a hot and steamy day the plan was to meet early and finish off the kitty from a most successful and fun Bank Holiday curry night the previous Sunday. Firstly a surprise that any kitty was left - note to team and supporters - drink more and drink more quickly! Secondly a spanner was thrown into the meeting point plans when a late email from Matt drew our attention to the fact that The Station public house had been the scene of a highly unpleasant and crimewatch-esque incident recently. Unperturbed the Mogs slowly descended on said establishment and a dent was made in the kitty.
For the 8th game running, our skipper lost the toss in this 40 over game and our worst fears came true, we were in the field, like French legionnaires sent out to battle in the Sahara. Our opening attack has been particularly excellent in recent weeks and pleasingly this continued with Abbott and Jo Lewis. With exaggerated bounce from the railway end, Darrell troubled both openers with pace whilst from the dingly-dell end Jo used guile and am-dram loud vocal grunts to try to break the opening partnership. Unluckily neither prospered and a change brought on the ever dependable and wily Briggs and Honeyfield. Both continued to be tight but again their brief spells were fruitless.
It needed a change of emphasis and this brought to the attack Tharpy. He was quickly into the swing, removing their sturdy opener for 26, leg before, leaving South Nutfield 96 - 1. One wicket quickly turned to three as in his next over Tharpy removed 2 in 2 balls, the first smartly caught behind by Parker, the second cleaned bowled by a brilliant deceptive Yorker. Two overs later he them removed their perky Jonty Rhods lookalike opener, who had batted well for his 59 but this now left them 115 - 4 off 27 overs.
It was a good batting track and with wickets falling suddenly Tharp had put the pressure on the homes side. South Nutfield needed some impetus for the final 13 overs. This came in the shape of their number 5 (Terry Dias) who was most entertaining in terms of style, intent and shot selection. At the other end Matt Lewis started to spin some magic and took 2 wickets in 2 overs, again helping to apply the breaks as No's 6 and 7 were both clean bowled cheaply, leaving them 136 for 6 off 30. A much-needed 50 partnership then prospered from the confused artistry of Dias and some lusty blows from No.8.
Abbott was brought back and finally enjoyed some much deserved success from his opening spell as he had No.8 caught at mid off, too late onto the shot. Their innings spluttered to its final resting place of 198 for 9 as Honeyfield bowled the last over, claiming the No.9 bowled off his pads and a final ball run out. A fantastic spell from Tharp had changed the face of the game and he was nearly chaired from the ground after finishing with figures of 8 overs 4 for 45, particularly herioc in the face of a ferocious intake of strong continental lager at Reigate Priory's league victory celebrations the night before.
By this time word had spread that the Mogs were in town and a large crowd had descended on the ground. A fine tea was enjoyed with friends and family of the Mogs, stretching all along the the boundary outside the pavilion. Most noticeably, batting prodigy Oscar Lewis (1 year 11 months) exhibited his unnerving ability to smash good length balls past wide mid-off with a straight bat, a skill that is still to elude his Father and Uncle!
When a strong opening pair of Hewitt and Freeland strode to the crease the Mogs were quietly confident of another good win. This confidence became louder as the two showed early respect to Nutfield's opening attack, but then soon started to caress the ball around the glass outfield. Hewitt, on the back of a match winning innings at Chipstead the previuos week, picked up where he left off and started crashing the ball to all parts. Freeland immediately followed his lead and Nutfield's fielders were seen retreating to hedges all around the boundary as if participating in some crazed 360 degree treasure hunt.
The partnership effortlessly passed the 100 mark, only for Freeland to then perish stumped looking to add to his classy 32. This brought to the crease David Martin who looked very solid and was enjoyed along with the crowd Hewitt's continued assault before he became the second wicket to go, caught behind for a powerful 76, which included 11 fours, 1 five and 3 sixes! Mogs 119 for 2 with only 15 overs gone - surely cruising to a comfortable victory.
Fairclough had been due in at 3 but had mysteriously been struck down by illness during our fielding and sadly was unable to partake in the game any further. Honeyfield looked out of sorts at No.4 and was soon out for just 6. This saw Martin joined by the bowling hero, Tharp, and the two continued to move the score assertively towards the total. Martin was finally out for a well-put together 28. Abbott was in at No.6 and these two batted well and brought the victory home with 9 overs spare. Tharp ended an excellent day not out on 29 and Abbott not out on 18.
The large crowd had stayed to the end and with this early victory came an opportunity to rehearse for a much anticipated Ashes victory the following week. Hopefully...
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