Reports & Scorecards 2019
Frogs vs Royal Household
Venue: Frogmore
Date: 28th July
Result: Frogs win by 164 runs.
Reporting: Andrew Carson
Frogs 246-4 dec. - Carson 93, Sykes 73
Royal Household 82 - O Marshall 3-14
For the first time the Frogs arrived at Frogmore on a very pleasant July afternoon. The Frogs had a squad of 12 though there were many more attending as part of the entourage to enjoy the day out within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Although Joe O’Gorman was match manager for the game, his knee injury that had been keeping him out of cricket and seeing him involved in other activities meant that skipper for the game Tom Marshall – who won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in a declaration game with tea between innings. Andrew Carson and Alex Sykes opened the batting for the Frogs and made a watchful start as some tidy bowling from Royal Household kept them to 25-0 from the first 8 overs. However, from here the pair took the attack to the bowling, though with the large ground there was plenty of running between the wickets to be done with the pair being required to run a three in overs 9-12 but in the next 8 overs added a further 50. In the 20th over Carson reached his 50 from 62 balls and one over later the Frogs passed the 100 mark. At the other end Sykes was providing excellent support at and in the 24th over he too reached the 50 mark from 73 balls.
Both batsman did ride their luck though as both were dropped but it was at this stage Carson pressed on the accelerator taking 43 more off his next 19 balls included three sixes before being caught on the deep point boundary trying to go for another. His 93 came from 82 balls in an excellent opening stand of 155 in 28.3 overs. This brought Marc Williams to the crease who came in and ensured the tempo was not lost with Sykes rotating the strike at the other end. Unfortunately Sykes was dismissed for 73 from 102 balls with the score at 182-2 from 33 overs.
This brought Richard Chalk to the crease but it was Williams who was the aggressor of the two and he played the shot of the day – a glorious lofted off drive which carried over the long off boundary and this was not a short hit! Williams continued in swashbuckling fashion including 17 from 7 balls at one stage before being dismissed for 43 at 220-3 from 40.2 overs. It was not far away from declaration time for the Frogs as Chris Lawton joined Chalky who had been accumulating steadily whilst watching Williams at the other end. Though Chalky fell for a steady 15 which brought Joe McCarthy to the crease, he added to the finishing touches – finishing with 18* from 16 with Poshy 2* at the other end as the Frogs declared on 246-4 from 47 overs.
Following an excellent tea the Frogs set about their work in the field with early success. Tom Marshall took wickets in his second and third overs to reduce the Royal Household to 6-2. After an impressive 4-2-7-2 Tom (including a drop in the cordon in that spell) was replaced by Chris Lawton. At the other end Neerav Trevedi had bowled an excellent spell with limited luck but was finally rewarded in his last over with the score 25-3 off 11 overs.
Malc replaced Trev though in very un-Malc-like fashion was hit for three fours off his first five balls though had the last laugh as Household opener Zaman was caught by Joe McCarthy (not behind the 7sticks today) for 29. This sparked a collapse as from 42-3 the Royal Household fell to 55-8 as Malc took another and then was replaced (2-1-12) by Tom Allen (GT) and Poshy had also got in the act at the other end bowling an excellent spell of 6-1-19-2. GT managed to bowl a fierce delivery that reared and hit Duncan Ellis in the grille behind the stumps!
As the Frogs had 12 there was an opportunity for shorts stints of rest and rotation although Sykes went down with an “injury” and took the last 15 overs off this was not before Carson had managed to leave the field for 8 overs to find some “light refreshment” with non-playing match manager Joe O’Gorman and Alison Mitchell.
Back on the field and Owen Marshall took the final three wickets, two bowled and one caught and bowled to finish with 3-14 to complete an excellent win for the Frogs – Royal Household 82 all out from 27.5 overs the victory margin of 164 runs. The Frogs and supporters had enjoyed an excellent day out and greatly enjoyed the hospitality from the Royal Household – with an eye very much looking forward to returning in 2020.
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Frogs vs Gloucester Gypsies
Venue: Stowell Park
Date: Sunday 15th September
Result: Draw.
Reporting: Andrew Carson
Frogs 287-4 dec. - Carson 100, T Marshall 76, T McLeod 65.
Gypsies 272-7 - J McLeod 4-35
The Frogs and The Gipsies played out a high scoring draw at Stowell Park in our last game of the season.
Richard Lawrence was due to captain the game but fractured his radius the week before as a result of being unable to stop a slow-moving ball at extra cover. Thankfully stand in captain Andrew Carson won the toss on a very pleasant September Sunday and chose to bat. Skipper Carson and Tom Marshall opened the batting on a benign surface under sunny skies and made steady progress bringing up the 50 in the 10th over. Carson was the more positive of the two and hit the only six of the innings over long on as he progressed towards 50 which was brought up in the 19th over from 60 balls – Frogs at this stage 86-0.
Marshall and Carson continued to tick over and found boundaries and singles with relative ease on a surface that was offering spin but not excessively. The Frogs hundred was brought up in the 22nd and although the Gipsies rotated the bowling Carson took 18 off the 28th over to edge closer to his hundred. At the other end Marshall was playing nicely including some deft touches behind square. A sweep shot from Carson saw him bring up his hundred from 99 balls in the 31st over and this was followed by Tom Marshall bringing up his 50 at the other end from 94 deliveries. The excellent opening stand of 168 was broken when Carson charged down the wicket, only to be stumped and bring Tom McLeod to the crease. He opened his account before lunch which saw the Frogs 180-1 from 35 overs.
The Stowell Park lunch has to be one of the best on the circuit with a particular highlight of the four superb desserts; bread and butter pudding, apple and plum crumble, trifle and banoffee pie – a tricky choice for some, for others it was a small sample from each of the dessert quartet!
After lunch Marshall and McLeod pushed on with a few streaky boundaries to start the session before both looked very accomplished. Marshall pressed on with some fine shots before he was dismissed caught at the wicket for an excellent 76 from 133 balls and the score 223-2 from 43 overs. At the other end McLeod also pushed on with a lofted extra cover drive off the left arm spinner being a particular highlight. He was joined by Dan Malloy who also batted very nicely before being dismissed for 19. McLeod put the finishing touches to the innings bringing up an excellent 50 from 52 balls before being stumped for 65 - the Frogs declaring 287-4 from 51.4 overs.
Having seen the Gipsies wipe off a similar score last year for the loss of two wickets, the Frogs were pleased to get two early scalps – one for Jordan McLeod and one for David Lawrence (which could have been two but Ian Rolland couldn’t quite hang on to a flying catch at gully – a super effort!) and after their opening bursts of five overs the Gipsies were 34-2. The game was livened up by the Gipsies number 4 who took a liking to Tom Allen’s bowling taking 17 off his first over and deciding he was going to try and belt every delivery. A game of cat and mouse followed which Allen should’ve won if Carson had held a stinger at extra cover or Jordan had held a tough one at deep midwicket. The Maestro had the final word before tea though as a field change prompted a reverse sweep which was missed and a simple decision for the umpire meant Allen had his man. 78-3 from 15.5 overs at tea.
After tea the Gipsies progressed well and the Frogs rotated the spinners with Malc proving excellent once again with a miserly 10-3-26-0 with the Maestro as the wicket taking option at the other end until he was replaced by Ogden. The summary of the fielding performance was that although opportunities were created they were not taken as a total of 7 drops catches was the reason the Frogs drew instead of winning. Dan Malloy bowled a tidy and like others was unfortunate that four overs went wicketless. Ogden at this stage had been switched ends and Jordan was brought back. These two bowled well in tandem and McLeod got the fourth wicket caught behind by Williams as the Gipsies were 185-4 after 38 overs, 14 overs left to get 103.
Ogden was bowling over and round the wicket (just left arm today though) and causing problems and McLeod at the other end was targeting the stumps. When McLeod picked up the fifth wicket and Ogden the sixth in quick succession the Frogs sensed they had a chance at 220-6 with 9 left. However, the Frogs weren’t quite able to prize out the final few despite another for McLeod who finished with an excellent 12-1-35-4. The Gipsies finishing 272-7 from their 52 overs.
Thanks as always to the Gipsies for their excellent hospitality and the competitive game played as always in excellent wandering spirit, we look forward to returning next year with the quartet of desserts firmly in the front of our minds!
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Frogs vs Frogs Towers Invitational XI
Venue: Eversley CC
Date: Sunday 11th August
Result: Frogs lose by 118 runs.
Reporting: Jono Wright
Frogs Towers XI 240-6 - Glen 87, Richard 90*
Frogs 122.
For the second year in a row the Martlets withdrew from our game, however with over a month notice thoughts of a relaxing Sunday roast at Frogs Towers swapping notes on how much we were all enjoying enduring the season were but a pipe dream. So I yet again find myself thanking everyone who helped make this game a reality, by recruiting tirelessly bringing in co-workers and team-mates, especially with some frustrating late dropouts. That we can field 23 on a Sunday, of which only 4 had never turned out for the Frogs, shows that at least for us, wandering cricket is going strong. It also shows we are a belligerent bunch who won’t take no for an answer. Particular thanks also to Syko for securing us a ground to play at.
The picture was set for the Frogs XI skippered by Jog to take on the Frogs Towers Invitational XI (henceforth known as the Towers) skippered by myself to do battle on a pitch we had been dutifully informed had yielded 550 runs the previous day. With this in mind the toss was lost by the Frogs and I took enormous pleasure in informing Jog that the Towers would like to bat first. Batting order negotiated, and then re-negotiated we were ready to begin. Apart from we weren’t, as Richard was taking his sweet time getting his pads on…
The smug grin was fairly rapidly wiped off my face however, as Thierry was trudging his way rather forlornly back to the pavilion after the useful Nick Mcguane had removed his off-peg with the first ball of the match. A big hoopinginswinger, an absolute horrible one to get first up. This brought Glen Williams out to the middle to join Richard. The pair set about building an innings slowly with Marshall and Mcguane bowling with decent pace and good areas, making it hard to put away after an excellent opening 7 overs went for only 21. With Richard playing his favoured “anchoring” role at the other end and Glen settling in after not having batter in over a year, the Towers players on the boundary settled in to enjoy the show. 28 overs and a few bowling changes later, Jog got the breakthrough, with Glen bowled sweeping on 87 from 93 deliveries, thus ending an excellent 150 run partnership. Mike Watkins, another of the Swansea contingent made his way out and an enterprising and intent filled 27 from 15 balls followed before being bowled by Poshy. With Jog rotating bowlers Rich Parboo bowled an economical 7 overs only yielding 21 runs, unlucky not to get a wicket. Richard however was well in, and making the Frogs pay for dropping him just before drinks. Joe Taylor made 10 before being run out with an excellent direct hit from A Lawton. Owen was clean bowled for a second ball duck by an excellent slower ball from his brother, thoroughly deserved after trying to ramp his first ball. The CTB is presumably reviewing further action…
Some late innings biffing from Mabbett and Richard finishing with a well crafter 90 not out, helped the Towers finish on 240-6 from their allotted 40 overs.
After a terrific tea, the Towers took to the field with Neerav full of beans raring to get stuck in and take 5. Trev started well, bowling a good length and hitting the deck hard and after sending his first two deliveries unhelpfully down leg side, skipper Jono also settled in to a rhythm, bowling in his natural state up hill and into the wind. Neal made his intent quite clear that he was going to try and get the Frogs as close to 240 as he could, taking Trev for 12 in his second over with some solid hitting. However Neerav would have the last laugh as Neal played on for 14 and the breakthrough had come. This brought to the crease Tom Marshall a man who would have loved to play an innings to mirror that of his idol, although he would need to do it a bit quicker. Mark Dickin at the other end had started more cautiously, taking some singles but was starting to get into it before Joe Taylor removed his off stump, bringing Syko to join T Marsh at the crease. This was a partnership that had real potential to swing the game in the Frogs favour. At the other end James Mabbett came on to replace Neerav and from the off bowled a nagging line and length, keeping the batsmen honest and giving very few loose deliveries off which the Frogs could score. Joe meanwhile was settling into his groove, and had Syko top edging a ball that lifted on him all the way down to fine leg where it was well held by Mabbett. Steve Doyle came and went after chopping on to give Taylor 3-fer on debut, finishing with impressive figures of 6-3-7-3. Chalky took a bit of time to get off the mark, however did so by dispatching Gorton for 4. This was perilously close to going through the back window of his own car, quickly steering conversation towards insurance claims… In an attempt to speed things up, Tom was cleaned up by Gorton. Chalk fell after drinks, giving Mabbett a well-deserved wicket caught behind by Thierry. Jog came striding to the crease, overcome with joy that he would be batting with his favourite cricketer. He left no doubts in anyone’s mind that he intended on getting the rest of the runs required, but fell to a shorter ball skying one to point for a 3 ball duck. This brought younger Lawton to the crease to join his brother. Whispers of run outs floated across the outfield, but the pair batted well, taking the attack to the bowling, (particularly Owen) knowing they needed to really step on the accelerator. When Andrew fell for an entertaining 17 it was all but over, and a few swishes later the tail was cleaned up by Gorton.
All in all an enjoyable day of cricket and it was great we could get a game on, and do so well to avoid the weather, with only two minor breaks in play. Thanks again to all who played ad recruited, especially those who travelled quite some distance!
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Frogs vs Hampstead CC
Venue: Lymington Road
Date: Sunday 14th July
Result: Frogs win by 6 wickets.
Reporting: Andrew Lawton
Hampstead 159 - Parboo 5-18, Allen 3-39
Frogs 160-4 - Root 71.
Debutant Lawrence Roots hit 71 and the returning Richard Parboo grabbed five wickets – including four wickets in six balls – as Frogs beat Hampstead before seeing England lift the World Cup.
Parboo was the pick of the bowlers with 5-18 from his eight overs on a green wicket just two miles from the Home of Cricket as Hampstead collapsed from 159-5 to 159-9 (all out).
Tom Allen also took 3-39 with skipper Andrew Lawton taking three catches but it was the captain’s fellow Biddestone CC youth product Roots who shone with the bat.
Roots held the Frogs’ innings together, reaching his 50 in just 58 balls, before being stumped with Richard Chalk (19no) and Tom Marshall (26no) seeing the visitors over the line.
The match started two hours ahead of schedule under grey skies with first-time Frogs captain Lawton following Eoin Morgan’s lead at the World Cup final; losing the toss and being asked to field.
With Duncan Ellis delayed, the Frogs took to the field with just ten but Will Blease (0-31) and Tom Marshall (0-17) opened the bowling well but without the luck or wickets to show for their efforts.
It was the introduction of medium-pace Parboo which saw Frogs eventually break the opening partnership with the score on 55 as Roy (32) was caught by Lawton for 32.
Parboo completed his opening seven overs with figures of 1-18 but it was spinner Allen who took the next three wickets as he dismissed Bush (24), Seemes (51) and Bala (0).
After cruising to 110-1 after 25 overs, Hampstead had slipped to 117-4 as the bowlers, including Andy Marshall (1-51), made scoring difficult for the home batsman.
But it was Parboo who would take the match ball home as he returned to the attack to bowl the 37th over and successfully dismissed Hampstead’s final four batsman without conceding a run.
Needing 160 to win, Ian Rolland (12) opened the batting with Roots and the pair put on 41 before the former was dismissed while Steve Doyle (7) followed soon after with the score on 62.
Lawton (8) was also dismissed before reaching double figures in his first innings of the season and when the Frogs’ saw Roots given out stumped, the visitors were 117-4.
But Chalk and Tom Marshall saw the Frogs to their required target without further incident ensuring both teams were in the bar in plenty of time to see the dramatic conclusion at Lord’s.
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Frogs vs The John Lyon School
Venue: Sudbury
Date: Monday 24th June
Result: Match Drawn.
Reporting: Neerav Trivedi
Frogs 225-5 dec.
John Lyon 76-6
The Frogs embarked on their first timed game of the season as they faced the John Lyon School. Neerav Trivedi made his debut as a match manager as he took the reins from Tom Marshall. After finally gathering a side together, he won the toss and opted to bat first – probably one of the only things he got right on the day. Nevertheless, Richard Chalk opened (with no complaints) alongside frogs debutant Neal Kanabar. It’s fair to say that they were not hanging around as the openers propelled the Frogs to 54-0 after 10 overs on that John Lyon wicket. Despite what might seem a high run rate, CTB certainly approved of the start as Andy Marshall was overheard saying ‘this lad can bat’ after Neal had creamed a ball to the cover fielder. Shortly after the good start, Neal was bowled by a half volley and Chalky’s eyes lit up at another half volley, but the ball ballooned up in the air and he was caught at cover. TMars and Marc Williams were asked to safely negotiate our passage to lunch, but Williams was triggered just before lunch and we went into the interval 101-3. The Frogs were treated to a luxurious lunch for chilli con carne with rice and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. Let’s remember when I went to school here, we were eating fish and chips out of carboard boxes with wooden forks. TMars and Ogden resumed after lunch; their partnership was 17 overs, but god it was LONG. Marshall pulled a long hop straight to mid-wicket ending his 88-ball innings for 42. With the score 168-4, the skipper was looking for a score of 200+ to declare on, Ogden and debutant Wyatt Michaux put on 57 in just over six overs. Big Trev declared on 225-5 feeling confident of grabbing the win.
The Frogs entered the field of play with 10 men as Ogden sat in the stands receiving treatment from Alison because he top edged a ball into his face. Always wear a helmet lads. Trev opened up from his usual end and grabbed a wicket in his first over by moving the ball against the slope (again) to take out the opener’s middle pole as she shouldered arms. This was well backed up by Will Blease at the other end who removed the other opener by taking out his off stump. John Lyon were 2-2 after 2 overs and the Frogs were buzzing. The Frogs were looking to hop through their overs as quick as possible, but a terrible over rate and boys walking behind the bowler’s arm threw a spanner in the works, much to Chalky’s dismay. The opening spell produced a bit more threat, but no wickets and as Trev was dispatched over mid-wicket for a six, it was time to look at spin before tea as Tom Allen came on. The less we say about that over the better. John Lyon went into tea 34-2. Ogden joined Allen in the owling attack after tea and removed their danger man after some good work behind the stumps from Duncan as the Frogs continue to toil, but to no avail. A change of end brought fortunes for Ogden as he grabbed his second; John Lyon were 58-4 and probably had about 15 overs left to play with. Then came Andy Marshall into the attack. Oh boy, oh boy, where do I begin? His first over went wicketless despite a STRONG LBW appeal being turned down, but then the umpire got involved. Now we all know where Malc bowls from, but it took the umpire 1.3 overs before he stated to Andy that his back foot needs to be on the pitch (instead of the grass) because ‘the pitch was not cut long enough’. ‘It’s fine’ he said as he proceeded to bowl the next ball. The umpire called ‘no-ball’ and Malc bowled again. ‘No-ball’ and again, ‘No-ball’. Malc was ticking and probably wisely did not speak to the umpire about the problem. Despite trying to defend his case, I was told that ‘we do not have the facility to lengthen the pitch, and I cannot tell where the line would be if there was one’. Malc was ticking at this point ‘I bowl 800 overs a year and it’s never a problem’ and proceeded to bowl around the wicket to finish his over before removing himself from the attack.
With time running out, things were becoming slightly more desperate. TMars replaced his father and grabbed a wicket with his first ball, but then blamed the fact that he was bowling at the wrong end and volunteered to take himself off after two overs. Meanwhile, at the other end, Ogden’s opted to switch to right-arm off spin in the middle of an over to the batsman’s surprise. This was so confusing to work out that the scorer had to shout ‘Bowler’s Name’ from the balcony, despite it being the middle of the over. Idiot. With eight overs to go, John Lyon were 74-5 and Trev came back on for a final burst. We thought we might have gotten the breakthrough when one popped up into the air, but Tom Allen, crouched at short mid-wicket, just stood still and watched the ball land a foot infront of him. Agony. At the other end Wyatt came on and took a wicket, leaving the Lyons 76-6 with four overs left. Stranger things have happened, but sadly not today. Things got a bit exciting has one slipped through Duncan’s gloves onto the helmet, but the Frogs couldn’t cross the line as the school blocked out for the draw. Should have declared earlier to be honest.
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Frogs vs Oxford University Authentics CC
Venue: Marston
Date: Sunday 9th June
Result: Frogs win by 97 runs.
Reporting: Andrew Carson
Frogs 189-7 - Sykes 51
OU Authentics 92 - Trivedi 3-24
A superb display in the field from the Frogs saw them runout handsome winners over the Tics at Marston.
I pen this match report (or at least I started to!) on the day that Marcus Trescothick announced his retirement from cricket. A side note yes but what an absolute champion of the game and one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen. It would of course be fantastic to see him play for the Frogs one day but now I must return to the real world and write the match report! Unfortunately for the Frogs, match manager Joe O’Gorman was unavailable for the game due to a knee injury so Andrew Carson took over responsibilities on the field and his first job was completed with aplomb as he won the toss and elected to bat.
The start to the game was however delayed due to the umpires only able to locate three bails. It was at this stage that the ever helpful big Trev piped up and said he still had a bail that was broken at Tidworth from last year in his car. The only stumbling block was that he hadn’t fixed the bail, oh and also that he hadn’t driven to the game, thanks Trev! Malc (who had popped to the Parks to watch Owen) was phoned to bring one and the game was started with a consensus that one bailed would be moved at the end of each over. Thankfully though the palaver was soon brought to an end. A wise man once said “you’d be a fool not to carry bails in your car”, Chalky lives his life by those words and the second over commenced with 4 bails in place.
The Frogs did not start well though as Carson was adjudged LBW for 1, Thierry Pascal bowled for 4 and Tom Nicholls (on Frogs debut from Eversley) also adjudged LBW, this time for no score. At the other ends Sykes was pretending he was batting on the WACA, trying to smash everything to the boundary. Once he was dropped at fine leg on the hook, he settled nicely into his work to build a partnership with Chalky and steady the Frogs.
At the halfway stage the Frogs had progressed to 82-3 and Sykes then reached a 69 ball 50, an excellent knock. Unfortunately he then decided to hit a short wide long hop to point and was on his way for 51, the Frogs 90-4 from 27. Poshy joined Chalky and hit one of the shots of the day through the covers for 4 but was then caught behind for that solitary boundary – 104-5 from 31 and the Frogs required another partnership. Chalky was still there 20* from 66 and doing a good job holding the innings together. He was joined by Will Blease who developed a steady partnership taking the Frogs to 133-5 from 41.
The last 9 overs so an excellent finish from the Frogs who took 66 from those 54 balls. Blease was the first to put his foot down hitting two excellent sixes, one over midwicket and one to the long straight boundary. His 35 came from 44 balls, a great knock on a wicket where stroke play wasn’t easy. At the other end Chalky reached an excellent 50 though unfortunately he couldn’t add to the tally – he was also cheered for his achievement of facing 100 balls which in the modern day and age is a feat that is occurring at a rapidly decreasing rate! Though if there was ever a man to face all the balls in The H**dred…! To Chalky’s credit in his last 16 balls he powered 20 runs to help push the Frogs towards a competitive total of 189-7 in the allotted 50. Walsh (2*) and Wright (4*) putting the finishing touches to the innings.
The Frogs were pleased with their score on a used wicket and were hopefully of squeezing the Tics and putting the pressure on. Jono Wright and Stephen Walsh shared the new ball. The pair bowled a disciplined opening spell, Jono bowling to an 8-1 field at times and after 9 overs the score 25-0. Then in Walshy’s 5th over he had O.Mohamed leaving a ball which smashed into off stump, with this having occurred twice at the Hogs we can only put it down to Walshy’s ever developing skills and experience. From here the Frogs took control of the game, Trevedi was brought on and his wide full toss first ball was hit hard at short extra cover where skipper Andrew Carson took an excellent catch just off the ground diving to his left.
Trev was then steaming in and when he got it right become almost unplayable, nicking off Freeman for 5 and having Harrison caught at backward point by Will Blease for 1. Blease had come on at the other end to replace Walshy and bowled an impeccable line, ending up with a similar field to Trev with three slips and a gully! This became even more difficult as Blease threw into Syko (behind the stumps this afternoon) to create a run out at 54-5. The final over before drinks was Trev’s last and in going for 10 rather spoiled his still excellent figures of 7-1-24-3. The score 67-5 from 25 saw the Frogs on top with the Tics requiring more than 5 an over.
Neve and Lester had set about forming a partnership for the Tics but Malc came on and picked up a wicket in his first over. However this wasn’t an LBW with a batsmen going back or being bowled slogging across the line, it was from a spectacular catch from big Trev! Just hanging back at mid-on he dived to his right and got his hands round the ball to take a very good catch followed by a very excited but warranted celebration. Blease continued his excellent spell and was taken off having bowled 8-5-8-0 representing a sterling effort. He was replaced by Jog’s favourite cricketer Chris Lawton who was straight into his work. Doherty was trapped LBW for 1 and then next ball Poshy took a superb caught on bowled to find himself on a hattrick. The hattrick ball was far too good, pitching on and just nibbling away – but unfortunately missing the edge and the stumps. Though at 76-8 from 32 the Tics were facing an uphill battle. Malc got his second as Kirby was caught by Carson at midwicket and Posh finished things off as Neve was also caught by Carson, this time at extra cover despite a slight juggle! The Tics were 92 all out in 38.5 overs resulting in a Frogs win by 97 runs.
Thanks most go to match manager Joe O’Gorman for sorting the side, the officials and of course the Tics for hosting us at Marston.
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Frogs vs Hampshire Hogs CC
Venue: Warnford
Date: Sunday 26th May
Result: Frogs win by 10 wickets.
Reporting: Chris Lawton
Hampshire Hogs 144 - T Marshall 5-37
Frogs 145-0 - A Carson 80*, Pascal 55*
Frogs arrived at Warnford looking to chalk up their first win of the season against the Hampshire Hogs, in a game that is always one of the tougher fixtures of the season. Under overcast skies captain Chris lost the toss for the second year in a row, and again for the second year in a row the Hogs opted to bat.
Stephen Walsh opened the bowling in the hope that he might be able to find some movement with the new ball, and sure enough one that “offered to leave” the batsman bowled opener Kelly, who was playing no shot. Walsh picked up his second wicket in the subsequent over, also bowled, and Frogs were on top at 8-2. Jono Wright opened the bowling at the other end, and made an error in deciding to rely on the slip corden for his wickets. His excellent bowling saw a field set that included 3 slips and 2 gullies for a number of overs, but his spell went unrewarded as 2 catches were dropped at 1st slip and 1 dropped at 3rd slip. In an opening spell of 11 overs, he bowled 3 maidens and only went for 39 runs.
As the Hogs rebuilt their innings, Tom Marshall was brought on to replace Walsh, and with the batting side on 64 he managed to have the Hogs number 4 trapped LBW for 33. Just before lunch Marshall struck again when Thierry Pascal, keeping wicket for the first time in over 15 years, held onto a thin edge behind to his considerable joy before incredibly for the second time in the innings a Hogs batsman was bowled whilst leaving the ball. At lunch, Hogs were 106-5 and Frogs were on top.
The post lunch session saw more accurate bowling from Tom Marshall and in his final over before the captain whipped him out of the attack he picked up his first Frogs 5 wicket haul. Marshall’s figures were 12-3-37-5 to follow up from his first Frogs 100 with the bat the previous week. A fantastic direct-hit run out from Matt Ogden to dismiss the stoic opening batsman Gunyon, and a catch from Andy Carson at long on, saw the Frogs fielding unit finally come to the party, and the Hogs were finally bundled out for only 144.
Andy Carson and Thierry Pascal opened the batting for the Frogs, and quickly got on top of the Hogs bowling attack playing some beautiful cricket shots all around the ground. The in-form Carson quickly moved past 50, and to the delight of the crowd Pascal joined him soon after. By now, the only question was whether the Frogs would win before, or after, the tea interval. Sure enough, at 5 to 4, Frogs clinched a 10 wicket victory. Both Frogs batsman faced exactly 86 balls, Carson with 80* and Pascal with 55*.
A very enjoyable day in Warnford, and thanks from the captain go to all that played, as well as Carol Quinn for volunteering to score for the Frogs and coach Joe O’Gorman for providing words of wisdom before the game. Thanks also to both umpires who were excellent in managing the game and their decision making. As usual the Hogs were welcoming hosts, and the food, ground, and wicket were high quality.
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Frogs vs Amersham CC
Venue: Shardeloes
Date: Sunday 19th May
Result: Frogs lose by 3 wickets.
Reporting: Steve Walsh
Frogs 282-5 dec. - T Marshall 105, Ogden 76, Lawrence 60
Amersham 283-7 - C Lawton 3-43
After the disappointment of the Grasshoppers’ cancellation, 11 Frogs assembled at Amersham keen to get on with the season – Chalky still wiping the froth away from his lips. We won the toss and chose to bat, a popular decision though possibly one that left us with the worse of the conditions. The wicket was quite slow in the morning, the ball didn’t really come on to the bat and the outfield was still damp which meant the batsman didn’t get full value for their shots. Nevertheless, Ridders and TMars patiently posted our first century stand of the year playing in a CTB-approved manner that was a pleasure to watch. When Ridders fell for 60, Matt Ogden raised the run rate with a bustling 76. He was succeeded by Thierry Pascal making a very welcome return to Frogs colours after too many years in the USA. We saw enough in his short stay at the crease to be sure that Thierry will score plenty of runs this season. At the other end, TMars moved on confidently to his first Frogs ton – a fine innings and, now that he has broken that particular duck, let’s hope we see a few more in quick succession. Dr O’Gorman, Chalky and Poshy added enough runs to give the skipper confidence to declare on 282 for 5 from 58 overs shortly beyond the half-way point.
That left us enough time to bowl 50 overs back at Amersham and Will Blease and TMars immediately put them under pressure in excellent opening spells. Will beat the bat several times and had opener Tilbury confidently caught by Ridders in the slips in his second over. Amersham’s no 3, Bowcock, joined opener Bowcock and they started to raise the scoring rate. Unfortunately, trouble with a foothole in the bowling crease led Will to overstep a couple of times which meant a catch off the no. 3 didn’t count. Dr O’Gorman went for a fairly consistent 8 an over but picked up a couple of wickets as Amersham pressed on. Andy Marshall applied some control at the other end and removed opener Bowcock making the score 146-4 from 26 overs. Poshy then bowled a fine 10 over spell that produced the best figures of the day, 3-43, while Amersham were straining to keep their scoring rate up. He removed Viney for 70 and Ari for 43, caught by safe Frogs hands. But Amersham’s batting was strong all the way down the order and they ended up needing 10 from the final over with 4 wickets left. G Rance relieved the pressure with a straight 6 from the second ball and even though he was caught off the third that was enough to ensure Amersham took the winning runs from the penultimate ball.
Thank you to all who played. It was a good contest played in the right spirit all. It’s always a pleasure to play at Amersham and there was no disgrace in defeat. On we go to Warnford…
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