On the comeback trail for OTs & Romsey II after a back injury, Mogg knocked over the first four St Cross batsmen without a run on the board. He finished with a staggering 8-18 return as the Winchester visitors were skittled for 44. But then it rained......
OTs did everything in their power to mop up the Romsey Sports Centre surface but, just as their mop-up operation neared completion, the heavens opened and the County Division 1 match was abandoned.
Mogg now faces an anxious wait to see if his figures will count in the Hampshire League averages.
OTs & Romsey weren’t the only side to suffer from the weather, but leaders Alton side-stepped the black clouds and extended their lead at the top with a seven-wicket win over Andover at the Jubilee Ground.
Spinner Tom Paul took 5-34 as Andover, profiting from a sound start from Max Romer-Lee (39) and Hari Williams (39), dipped to 171 all out.
Alton too thrived on their openers, with Andy Postles (50) and Lawrence Hughes (48) providing the 110-run springboard for their seventh win in a row.
Winning when other sides around you either lose or are washed out is perfect - and Alton were able to consolidate their top position as Purbrook were among the clubs to be waterlogged.
Significantly, they were playing Portsmouth & Southsea, the side one place below them.
Purbrook made 186 through skipper Martin Lee (57) and Craig Harding (30), but saw their total trimmed and P & S left to get 151 off 41 overs. It proved purely academic as the rains came at 35-2.
Shrewton’s bright start – they were among the fancied runners – has dimmed altogether, with Fareham & Crofton enjoying a comfortable away day win high up on Salisbury Plain.
Former Barton Peveril student Ben White and Matt Gould got four wickets each as Shrewton were dismissed for 155, Fareham generously gifting their hosts 38 in extras !
Sam Stothart and Viraat Sahu got 45 each to guide Fareham home by seven wickets.
The only other CD1 match to be completed saw Ropley recover from an uncertain start and beat visiting Bishops Waltham by six wickets.
Bishops’ 147 all out owed much to a late whirl from Harry Barrett (34), who built on an earlier and cautious approach from former KES student Harry McGhee (29) and Andy Wakely (28).
Ropley celebrated three direct-hit run-outs and, through inclement weather, saw their target reduced to 130 off 39 overs.
The chase wasn’t straight forward as Ropley lost two early wickets before South African Tim Niemand (59) played the match winning innings, which included four substantial sixes.