Mogador Wanderers 253-7 (Hewitt 86) lost to Headley 255-3 (J Pickering 102, M Pickering 52)

It may have been the last match of the cricket season at Headley, but no-one told the weatherman. The sun shone brightly from start to finish on probably the best wicket of the season and the Mogs captain had no hesitation in batting on winning the toss. No doubt the decision was made, not due to the sun or flat wicket, but the copious lunch and traditional black velvets.

The Mogs started steadily going along at 5 an over for the first 20 overs with the batsman clearly surprised by the ball coming onto the bat and the good carry through to the keeper. Then in walked at 100ish for 2 Alex Hewitt, he immediately looked in wonderful touch smashing the ball to all parts, with his 50 coming up in only 7 overs. This wonderful stroke play continued until he was on 86 when he was unfortunate to be run out at the non-strikers end by a stunning pick up and throw from point by Headley Grounds man John Vaughan-Davis when a run wasn't even being attempted.

With the score on around 230 the Mogs were told that the tea wasn't ready - with a few choice words coming from the kitchen. As a result the innings continued to a somewhat imposing 253 from 40 overs when the declaration came. It was a fine batting performance, average bowling showing and most of the fielding had involved collecting the ball from over the fence!

An excellent tea was heartily tucked into by both sets of players, as was a few settlers too help the fielding side prepare for the hot sunshine.

 

Headley, with a strongish batting line up, chose to open with Headley veteran Josh Pickering and 16 year old Tom Laudy. Both have got runs aplenty for Headley this season and they got Headley of to a good start reaching 60+ runs before Laudy played all round a straightish ball as he tried to push the score along. Josh was then joined by little brother Mitch who once again displayed his abilities to turn potential 3’s into singles and 2’s and 1’s into dot balls but given his ability to thump the ball this was of little consequence and would only have meant the game finished earlier and without to the tense finish. Big brother Josh continued to work the ball to all corners of the ground and wasn’t afraid to loft the ball when required.

 

Shortly after getting his 50 Josh Pickering was adjudged caught bat flicked pad. Bemused by the decision he mischievously hung around waiting for the sporting call back which given the Mogs captains earlier decision to give himself run out was sure to come. After a few words and pointed fingers Josh continued his innings and continued his way. Mitch Pickering reached a good 50 but was soon adjudged LBW to a clear inside edge. Sensing that charity was now all gone he wandered off slowly (how else!). Between them they had put Headley into a potential match winning situation but with still a lot to be done. John Vaughan-Davies joined the fray with a runner having twisted his knee in an un-repaired bowlers stride (whose fault was that one wonders) and demonstrated his class by judiciously placing the ball in all corners and, as instructed, mainly along the ground. Josh Pickering reached his splendid ton but was soon caught off a skier to extra cover. Phil Chapman entered the fray with 24 runs required of the final 2 overs and chose to leave it to the masterful groundsman to plunder a 6 and 3 fours to take Headley to victory with a couple of balls to spare.

 

This was a glorious finish to a glorious day in a wonderful season.

 

Chairman and proud father Andy Pickering commented “with the boys grandparents watching and me paying their match fees it was good that they got full value and we wouldn’t want dubious decisions to ruin the marvelous day. I believe the 6.25p per run I paid to be great value.

 

After the match the last words go to Dickie Doran, Headley umpire, “well there really was some beautiful batting today and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. The bowling was terrible though, especially Josh’s first spell.”

It was a fantastic game on Sunday and a thoroughly enjoyable season. What a way to end the season.

 

See you all at the dinner