Magoos Start 2021 With A Bang!
The first game back to 2021 saw the Magoos return to Beaumaris for their second clash with MCC, and after a convincing win first time round the lads were confident they could repeat their efforts and start the year off in style.
Winning the toss, Matt Perrett chose to bat first on an absolute road, and apart from the early dismissal of Andrew Seal (5), the OXCC 2nd XI had the upper hand for the rest of the innings. Alex Eden-Lachowicz (24) helped build a solid foundation upon which Lucas Watt (82) and Jack Carroll (57) were able to launch the Magoos into a commanding position at the end of the 40. Some brilliant batting was on display, with early boundaries pushing the field back early allowing for singles and twos to be picked off easily with little risk to the batsmen. Whilst the lads fell away a bit towards the end, 9/211 off the 40 overs was above the discussed par total of 180, so there was plenty to be happy with as they entered lunch.
Despite the big total on the board, the wicket only got firmer and the outfield quicker as the scorcher of the day went on, so there was still some pressure on the Magoos to bowl and field well, especially due to the lack of a 12th fielder. Unfortunately, both bowling and fielding was rusty to begin with, with plenty of short balls finding their way to the fence within the first 5 overs. At 1/36 off just 5 overs it was game on, with a seasoned MCC captain looking dangerous at the crease. A great bowling partnership between Jack Carroll (1/27 off 8) and Nick Carabine (0/12 off 4), however stymied the advances of the MCC batsmen, and whilst they were still only 1 wicket down after 20, the score of 1/92 was starting to slip below the required run rate, and loose shots were beginning to come. After Carroll got the big breakthrough of the MCC captain for 53 in his final over, Tom Worsnop (4/38 off 8) stepped up to the plate. On a wicket with absolutely no demons, it was clear after his first over that Snoppa and his wily meds were going to be hard to face as the batsmen would have to generate their own pace. With the required run rate climbing over 10 an over by the 33 over mark, Snop ripped through the MCC middle order, and as his last 2 deliveries claimed wickets he will be on a Hattrick with his first ball next week. MCC ended the 40 overs 7/189, giving the Magoos their first win of the year and 2nd of the season.
The key point to take out of this fixture is that bowling to the field early is essential. Giving the opposition easy runs at the beginning of their innings releases the pressure on batsmen, allowing them to settle into their innings as opposed to them having to invent shots to make runs. All in all, however, the boys are very pleased with the win and are keen to take on Old Melbourne High on Sunday in what could be a bit of a grudge match after the contentious wash out in round 1. Go Xavs!
