Reports & Newsletter 1998

No report received. Suffice to say that the Frogs suffered heavily at the hands of Frogs. Hurlingham batted first and with a not out century and a half from Mark Nicholas and a not out ton from Tim Cockroft had runs to spare as the Frogs were dismissed well short of their target to give Hurlingham revenge in a mirror image of the 1997 fixture.

Frogs                           202-9 dec        (Watkins 51*, Stopford 45)

Harrow Wanderers      200                  (Redmayne 5 for 64)

This was an excellent see-sawing game where any seeming advantage to one side was almost immediately nullified by the other. After a couple of years of not too difficult games against the Wanderers, they produced a good side and we found it sticky going.

Having won the toss and elected to do the obvious, we found the opening attached of Norton and Licudi steady, and although the Frogs seemed in no particular difficulty, a run out of Rhodes-like brilliance saw off the in-form Rosnegk. He was followed shortly by Pascal. Redmayne flourished only briefly and it was only the steadiness of Stopford that kept us afloat till lunch at 86 for 4. Immediately on the resumption, the irritating Tichener-Barrett proved too straight for the Frogs middle order, and 104 for 7 was a situation requiring urgent aid. This arrived in the form of Watkins, held back to no. 7, and Rayner, who more than fulfilled the usual boastful claims about his batting form. By the time these two had taken the score to 183 for 8 we were all feeling better, and the declaration came when the score reached 200 and Watkins achieved a well-deserved 50.

The Wanderers’ innings followed much the same pattern. An early run out by Redmayne and then modest partnerships followed by crucial wickets as this same Redmayne, given an unaccustomed and extended opportunity to bowl some temptingly flighted off-breaks, worked his way through the order to leave them 114 for 7. At this point, just when we felt reasonably safe, Licudi (apparently a Frog in an earlier life) proceeded to marshal the tail with some fierce striking and the Frogs total began to look extremely vulnerable.

However, sensible field placings and some impressive catches, combined with bowling changes which were either inventive or panicky depending on your point of view, produced a situation where the Wanderers needed 3 runs off the last over with one wicket left, and the big-hitting Licudi facing. It would all depend on whether he took the single and relied on his no.11 or went for one of the boundaries that he had been so adept at finding. Being a fast bowler he unerringly chose the latter route and succeeded merely in skewing a skier to cover. Cowen took the catch, injuring his finger in the process, for which he received scant sympathy as we were all too busy rejoicing in the result of such a close game.

Frogs : T Pascal, M Rosnegk, C Stopford, C Redmayne, T O’Leary, G Prain, N Watkins, B Cowen, N Rayner, J Burrough, O Croom-Johnson (c).

Grasshoppers               240-8 dec        (Rodger 3 for 62)

Frogs                           121-5               (Rawlinson 59*, Norman 43)

We arrived to find an unfamiliar Grasshoppers side working out on the outfield (did I detect someone doing press ups?). We lost the toss and were condemned to field. However, the early exchanges were encouraging. Charles Whitmore and Harry Rawlinson both struck early on, while Keith Rodger bowled a lengthy and searching spell. He was rewarded with two wickets in successive balls, Hugo Norman removing a startled new batsman first ball with a riveting leg-side stumping. From 68 for 4 the Grasshoppers built a convincing recovery on a good pitch. Two forceful and handsome innings in the middle order took the initiative away from us and enabled the Grasshoppers to declare after 50 overs with a solid total.

The Frogs lost two early wickets but a splendid partnership between Harry Rawlinson, celebrating his return from the Welsh borders, and Hugo Norman took us to over 100 and up with the clock. However, two quick wickets went down and then a sharp shower suspended play as the final hour began. Play resumed, we lost another wicket, precious time evaporated and with the onset of more heavy rain, although shortlived, the game was called off. But for the rain there should have been an interesting finish, although faced with accurate bowling and athletic fielding the target might have proved just too much.

Frogs : T O’Leary, J Cardwell-Moore, H Rawlinson, H Norman, C Griffith-Jones, P Strachan, G Prain, B O’Gorman, C Jenkins, C Whitmore, K Rodger.

Frogs               192                  (Rosnegk 85, Williams 45*)  

Amersham         85                  (Chew 7 for 30)

The Frogs won the toss and batted on a wettish pitch, which offered quite a bit of help to the bowlers. We were indebted to two major innings. Mark Rosnegk, playing the bowling on its merits but scoring fluently whenever possible, held the innings together before lunch when we lost four wickets. His partnership with Owen Williams was crucial and when he was out at 151 for 5, Owen took over the major role batting sensible and very well. For Amersham van Duivenbode took 6 for 46 and we felt that out total was at least 20 short of a good score.

However, Steve Chew struck immediately with the ball taking five quick wickets cheaply, aided by the steadiness of Mike Chetwode who took the next two. At 46 for 7 Amersham were in serious trouble, and although their skipper struck out well for 33, there was to be no way back for them. We caught well and Owen Williams made a lightning leg-side stumping off Steve Chew, who bowled beautifully to finish with seven wickets. It was a satisfying win, although Amersham may have been a bit weak on the day.

Frogs : M Rosnegk, T O’Leary, D Fischel, A Mathur, G Prain (c) , O Williams, J Cardwell-Moore, C Peerless, R Thomas, M Chetwode, S Chew.  

Old Wellingtonians     189-7 dec        (Cowen 3 for 55)

Frogs                           167-8               (Rosnegk 50, Darbyshire 50)

The day began with thoughts of the weather determining the outcome, but as this fixture is one of the favourites of the season we were full of optimism for a day’s cricket. A lost toss saw the Frogs take the field with Chetwode and Cowen opening the attack. The Chetwode spell was first class with the ball doing too much, beating the outside edge on numerous occasions. Cowen, coming up the hill, found lift and movement making life difficult for the OW’s. Rain came, followed by sunshine, and 20 minutes were lost. Lunch was soon upon us and with very few runs on the board and two wickets, the match was evenly poised – OW’s needed runs quickly and Frogs needed wickets to maintain the pressure.

Whitmore bowled well (golden locks flowing!), finally dismissing Dyer for 96 and Chetwode finished with figures of 18-5-34-1. It is a captain’s pleasure to have someone so consistent and talented to hand. Wickets were needed and duly provided by Peerless’s leg-trap (Prain), removing the dangerous White. Cowen followed with three important wickets to keep up the pressure. A useful captain’s knock by Lloyd ended the OW’s innings at 189 for 7 declared.

My few years’ experience of this fixture told of a batting track to live for, and an opposition always capable of big totals. This year was the contrary. Nevertheless, the bowlers, having done their job, it was now up to the batsmen to do theirs on a wicket that was drying out but still proving tricky.

Pascal and Rosnegk opened confidently until a good length ball rose sharply and a simple catch by the keeper sent back Pascal. At tea we were looking good on 47 for 1 with approximately 35 overs to come. Rosnegk’s batting was textbook and his 50 received applause from both sides.

Unfortunately a top edge followed shortly afterwards and our momentum slowed. Darbyshire worked hard for his 50 – the OW’s were bowling well and Las’s slow left arm was tight, turning and difficult to get away (18-0-18-5). It required one of our middle order to establish himself but as the last 20 overs progressed the run rate rose. Although we still chased the win, the inevitable draw was forced on us as we finished on 167 for 8.

A good day’s cricket with the highlights coming from Chetwode and Rosnegk but a win was there for the taking – a missed opportunity for the Frogs.

Frogs : T Pascal, M Rosnegk, T Darbyshire, C Peerless, N McIver (c), T O’Leary, C Griffith-Jones, G Prain, B Cowen, M Chetwode, C Whitmore.

Frogs                           222-7 dec        (Rosnegk 95, Martin 43)

St George’s XI            143                  (Chetwode 3 for 25)

Summer finally returned for this new fixture against a team made up mostly of 1^st XI players from the school. After winning the toss, the Frogs got off to a solid start with Peerless and Martin. Martin, just returned from New York, quickly remembered the basics and played a cameo of 43, before Rosnegk entered the fray. Some enthusiastic fielding from the home team kept everyone on their toes, but a flurry of wickets before lunch left the innings finely placed at 120 for 4. After lunch Rosnegk, together with the steady O’Leary, put together a partnership of 80. Rosnegk then took over and was out just short of his century, leaving the Frogs to declare at 222 for 7.

The St George’s innings started in curious circumstances, with Rodger being carried off after bowling only one ball, his knee giving in. Tight bowling by Chetwode and a couple of great balls from Chew kept the home team in order, and once the dangerous Otley had been removed, it was left to the cunning bowling of Peerless and Martin to con a few batsmen out. Solid defending from the tail meant that as the final 20 overs were completed the final pair were still batting. However, as the clock had not reached stumps, in the extra few minutes available three more overs were bowled. With nerves on edge, and seven balls left, Chetwode finally got a thin edge and a grateful skipper held the catch behind the stumps. A good day all round.

Frogs : I Martin, C Peerless, M Rosnegk, N McIver, M Rimmer, T O’Leary, T Pascal (c), B Cowen, S Chew, M Chetwode, K Rodger.

Frogs                           253-6 dec        (Watkins 72, Stopford 48, Lucas 41)

Old Cranleighans        254-3              

This was a tale of an over-generous declaration by the skipper, a side in desperate need of a spinner and some dubious advice from a turncoat within our midst.

Mike Chetwode, coincidentally an Old Cranleighan, informed us that 240 was the highest score of the whole week prior to our Friday game. We proceeded to declare on what we had imagined would be an unassailable score of 253-6 (from 50 overs).

Not so, as in the end we were easily overhauled by 7 wickets in 5 overs fewer than we had needed. This was despite a valiant effort from our seamers, who struggled manfully on a pitch that became more and more of a motorway as the day progressed. Oh for OCJ to start bowling off-breaks again! Come back Clubey! Where were you Manuel?

Our batting was a joy on quite a bouncy surface, with most of our batters cashing in. Nick Watkins led the way with a solid 72 in the middle order. Unfortunately, this was probably one of his last ever knocks for the Frogs as he ran out El Presidente Prain.

Messrs Rayner, Stopford and Lucas all contributed, particularly enjoying the 4 or 5 bouncers an over employed by their opening bowler. They were well supported by fluent batting from Prain and O’Leary with Whitmore (27) bringing up the rear with some “long handle”.

Only joking Mike. Looking forward to more pearls next year.

Frogs : Mason, N Rayner, C Stopford (c), N Watkins, Lucas, G Prain, T O’Leary, O Croom-Johnson, B Cowan, C Whitmore, M Chetwode.

Hampshire Hogs         131

Frogs                           126                  (Bayly 56)

This match produced the most surprising and, from, a Frogs point of view, disappointing result. As usual the Hogs won the toss, as usual they elected to bat, and as usual they got themselves into trouble from a steady Frogs attack. All the bowlers bowled accurately enough on the slow pitch without really creating a vision of the damage that was being wrought. The Hogs however made a real meal of it, to the extent that, with the score 90 for 7 at lunch, the odd occasional bowler was employed afterwards. Despite this small condescension on our part, wickets fell just as regularly after the break, and they subsided to 131 all out.

Although the early loss of O’Leary was a setback, Steve Bayly was playing well, we had a reasonable batting line up, and nobody believed that the total was particularly testing. Ah, hubris! McIver and Norman both looked to be in more control than they clearly were, and when there came a period of four wickets for 19 runs to leave us at 89 for 6, it had become apparent that, with Whitcomb having hit a testing line and direction in his second spell, Bayly would have to do it on his own,. The last 3 wickets all fell at 126 leaving Mike Blumberg stranded at the other end. It was definitely one of those innings where statistics tell the story. We would never have been troubled by this target, but five of the last six batsmen failed to trouble the scorers despite being peopled with bowlers who all fancy their batting prowess.

Fair do’s to the Hogs however. They rescued a seemingly hopeless situation by finding a bowling groove and sticking to it, and once they were in, they established a grip that the Frogs found it extremely difficult to break.

Frogs : N McIver, T O’Leary, S Bayly, H Norman, G Prain, S Blackmoor, J Marx, M Blumberg, B Cowen, S Chew, O Croom-Johnson (c)

Frogs               150-8 dec        (Norman 46)

Ashtead           151-6              

The Frogs lost the toss and were inserted on a wet pitch. O’Leary and Dolman built a solid base from which the Frogs ought to have been able to accelerate, but only Hugo Norman and in the latter stages John Marx were abe to time the slow bounce. After 3 hours and five minutes of this afternoon game, the Frogs declared with 150 on the board, much to the disgust of the President who had held the middle order together for over an hour for his 11 not out. Ashstead’s King bowled excellently taking 6 for 21 in 18 overs.

Given 1 hour and 20 overs to beat the Frogs total on a drying pitch and outfield, Ashstead started poorly and after two overs were 0 for 2. After 10 overs of tight bowling from John Marx and Ian Martin they were still in a corner at 16 for 3, and Frogs scented victory. Frogs had nor counted on Ashstead’s indefatigable King, however, who came to the crease with around 26 overs to play. His chanceless innings of 76 not out won the game for Ashstead in the penultimate over and the captain was left to rue his early declaration and buy the President a pint.

Frogs : P Dolman, T O’Leary, H Norman, M Rimmer, G Prain, I Martin, H Pugsley, W Fawcett, R Leaver, J Marx, D Patient (c).

Wimbledon                 210-8   (Naveed 3 for 54)

Frogs                           211-4   (Rosnegk 107*, Pascal 77)                

The match started with the Frogs in the field with only eight players due to late arrivals. However, we were given two colt substitutes to help us out. After a good opening spell by Rawlinson and Rodger, we were surprised to see that one of the colts was bored and was sprinting down the driveway at fine leg to the safety of his friends!! Continuing one short, the Frogs fought hard to restrict Wimbledon to 210, with useful bowling from Naveed, Ratcliffe and Mike Blumberg. Rosnegk and Pascal then set about the Wimbledon attack and put on 153 for the first wicket. After Pascal was dismissed for 77, Rosnegk slowly moved on, losing a couple more partners, before reaching another century and ensuring a convincing 6 wicket victory.

Frogs : T Pascal (c), M Rosnegk, M Rimmer, D Cruickshank, Naveed, M Blumberg, G Prain, O Williams, H Rawlinson, N Rayner.

Frogs               238-8 dec        (Rosnegk 163)

Adastrians       139                  (Rawlinson 3 for 28, Marshall 3 for 12)

With 49 players unavailable, the 10-man Frogs completed another very comfortable victory at Vine Lane with a combination of Rosnegk’s relentless run-making and another poor Adastrians batting performance. Three batsmen making double figures with the next highest being 16 puts Rosnegk’s innings in context against a mostly respectable bowling attack.

In reply Adastrians were teetering on the edge with their top eight mustering 39 between them, Marshall and Peerless with the ball and Pascal’s fielding proving irresistible. Thankfully for the sake of the game numbers 9 and 10 helped themselves to 52 not out and 42 to ensure respectability before Rawlinson, champing at the bit, returned to break a partnership that was becoming just a little troublesome, and then dispose of the last man.

Frogs: T Pascal, M Rosnegk, M Rawlinson, R White, G Prain, C Peerless, H Rawlinson, A Marshall (c), P Hemeter, D Oatway.

Frogs:  M Rimmer, M Rosnegk, I Martin, J Horton, D Bishop-Rowe, G Prain, T Pascal (c),  Naveed, P Hughes, J Turnbull, J Rolfe.

Frogs:  T Pascal (c), N McIver, M Rosnegk, M Rimmer, Naveed, C Peerless, T Wright, J Youngs, G Prain, R Lawrence, M Chetwode.

Frogs:  J Lawrence, D Smith, T Pascal (c), G Prain, M Rosnegk, I Rolland, M Rimmer, T Corrie, T Wright, Naveed, M Chetwode.

Frogs                           251-6 dec        (Nishanta 140*)

Wiltshire Queries        152-8              

Heavy overnight rain had unfortunately left the pitch waterlogged and the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Frogs: G Prain (c), O Croom-Johnson, A Marshall, I Martin, N McIver, H Norman, M Rosnegk, B O’Gorman, S Lampley, M de Sousa, M Chetwode.

Frogs                           248-7 (40 overs)          (Rawlinson 100, Chapman 48)

Vale                               98                              (Chetwode 7 for 4)

This was an extraordinary game. Before it started, the opposition, the venue, the starting-time and the match-format had changed, after Beaconsfield disappointingly failed to raise a side. Our opposition were Vale, a Sunday side whose home ground is in Ealing. Due to the Jewish New Year requiring most of their side to be home by 5pm, we played a 40 over game, starting at 11am.

Since he was walking past when the captain was deciding who should open, Harry Rawlinson was sent in with Bob Sleigh. Bob was back for a short business trip to London and played a cool innings of 23, bringing back memories of many sparkling knocks in saesons past.

There was nothing cool about Harry, however; he set about the bowling at once, and 58 minutes later had reached an astonishing century. He scored 5 sixes, 14 fours, 4 twos and 6 singles, playing in classic style with shots all round the wicket. In addition to various fast-scoring records, Harry broke a passing car’s headlight. The match having in fact started at 11.10am, Harry reached his 100 by 12.08pm, surely the earliest that any Frogs batsman has reached three figures during a day’s play.

Jeff Chapman, Freddy Jones and Mike Chetwode, all batting well in their different styles, moved the score on to 248 for 7 by the time our innings closed after 40 overs.

After the lunch, (or was it tea?) interval, the Frogs attack of Marshall and Chetwode opened up. Vale struggled from the outset, and Chetwode in particular began to cause trouble immediately. When Mike dismissed the leading opposition bat for 24 (2 sixes, 3 fours), the match was over as a contest. Nevertheless, the bowling of Chetwode was a marvellous spectacle in the latter stages: as he himself put it, somewhat enigmatically, “The headlights are on !”. Well, the Vale batsmen certainly looked dazzled. Behind the stumps, Ian Rolland made one particularly fine catch during a very tidy performance.

An unusual, but enjoyable, day was concluded in the nearby Gardeners' Arms. There must have been some irony intended here, as the garden was judged by those Frogs present “ugliest in Britain”.

Frogs : H Rawlinson, R Sleigh, J Chapman, O Jones, R Chalk, I Rolland , M Chetwode, G Prain, J Turnbull (c), A Marshall, B O'Gorman.

Cross Arrows              262-9               (Ricketts 6 for 33)

Frogs                           266-9               (Ricketts 63*, Dolman 57, Emslie 45)

The Frogs fixture against the Cross Arrows at Lord’s is always a keenly anticipated match. However, on a cold October morning the feeling was similar to the first match of the season in April.

The Frogs duly lost the toss and were sent into the field duly wrapped up against the elements.

Charlie Whitmore and Simon Bonser started with tidy spells, and one of the Cross Arrows openers had his middle stump dislodged by the gleeful Bonser. However, this brought in Naylor who, first ball, came down the wicket to Whitmore and smashed him through the covers for four. From being 37-1 after 11 overs, Naylor and Dale went on the rampage and five overs later the 100 was up. Slightly shocked and with stinging hands, the skipper decided on a different approach and brought on the spinners. Sure enough, with no pace to work with, the runs dried up and Justin Ricketts and Chris Westbrook steadied the ship. Ricketts, having dismissed Naylor with his quicker ball for a majestic 78, then took a further 4 wickets in 13 balls to change the outlook of the game. Westbrook chipped in with a wicket, and the Frogs hopped off at lunch with a smile and the Cross Arrows on 158 for 7.

After lunch, Ben Cowen bowled a tidy spell with Westbrook, but could not get the breakthrough, and with confidence restored, the Cross Arrows added 80 for the eighth wicket to turn the game again. Ricketts and Bonser returned to pick up a wicket each, but the Cross Arrows declared in satisfactory mood at 262 for 9 after 57 overs. Ricketts was the pick of the bowlers with fantastic figures of 12-3-33-6.

The Frogs chase was always daunting but with the small Nursery Ground boundaries the opportunities were there. Mark Rosnegk and Dean Emslie faced a fiery opening attack and after Rosnegk was bowled, Emslie went on the offensive. David Hagan was surprised by the googly of Umarji and was trapped lbw padding up, and the Frogs went into tea at 24 for 2.

After tea, Emslie decided to open up and played a few bludgeoning shots before being bowled for 45, and then David Lawrence and Paul Dolman confidently kept the scoreboard moving at four an over until Lawrence was caught trying to accelerate. The skipper, Thierry Pascal, hit a run-a-ball 29 before Justin Ricketts joined Dolman. At this stage, the Frogs required 93 off 12 overs, nearly 8 an over. But Dolman rotated the strike, allowing Ricketts to take charge. After Dolman was stumped for a solid 57, Charlie Whitmore and Ben Cowen left quickly and the Frogs were 212 for 8 with four overs to go. Rickets then went absolutely crazy, ignoring all instructions for sensible play, and smashed 23 off the next over including two huge blows onto the Indoor School roof. Bonser hit two boundaries before being run out, and the watching public were on tenterhooks as Westbrook joined the proceedings with 22 required. Having seen off the over, it was left to Ricketts. Six balls later it was all over (6,4,2,6,2,4) and the Frogs had recorded a famous victory by 1 wicket in the gloom. Terrific stuff! Ricketts finished with 63 off 31 balls and the drinks were on him.

Frogs : D Emslie, M Rosnegk, D Hagan, D Lawrence, P Dolman, T Pascal (c), J Ricketts,  C Whitmore, B Cowen, S Bonser, C Westbrook.