Reports & Scorecards 2023 

Leading Performances 2023

Bowling:

Gorton 7-9 vs Stowe Templars

Wright 4-4 vs Maidenhead and Bray 

Gorton 4-49 vs Sussex Martlets

Allen 3-22 vs Gerrards Cross

T Marshall 3-24 vs OU Authentics 

Allen 3-22 vs Gerrards Cross

Moore 3-38 vs Gerrards Cross

Batting:

Grey 102 vs Philanderers

Searing 101 vs Stowe Templars

Pascal 100 vs Harefield 

T Marshall 87* vs Stowe Templars

Pascal 81 vs Gloucester Gypsies

Gorton 80 vs Gloucester Gypsies

Vaja 77 vs Maidenhead and Bray

Pascal 62 vs Gerrards Cross

Carson A 54* vs Sussex Martlets

Grey 50 vs Harefield 

Frogs vs Hurlingham Club

Venue: The Hurlingham Club

Date: Sunday 23rd April

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Frogs vs Chesham CC

Venue: Chesham CC

Date: Sunday 7th May

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Frogs vs Amersham CC

Venue: Shardeloes

Date: Sunday 14th May

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Frogs vs Stowe Templars

Venue: Stowe School

Date: Sunday 21st May

Result: Frogs win by 199 runs.

Reporting: Thierry Pascal

Frogs: 283-5 (53 overs) (Searing 101, T Marshall 87*)

Stowe: 72 (27.5 overs) (Gorton 7-9, O’Gorman 3-33)

On a sunny late-May morning, the Frogs finally got their season under way after a hat-trick of cancellations. Winning the toss, the Frogs sent in last years’ batting stars, Heigl and Lawrence. However, faced with some unusually quick and hostile bowling from the Stowe opening bowler, Heigl chased a short wide ball to edge behind. Lawrence also fell soon after, edging behind to a good seaming ball, Pascal sliced to point and Williams was the recipient of a harsh leg before decision. At lunch the Frogs were 126-4 off 30 overs, meaning that the first 30 minutes after lunch would/could be a critical phase in the match. However, Searing and Marshall, suitably refuelled with Stowe’s sumptuous lunch (apparently Stowe cannot afford anything hot – what am I paying the school fees for!), quicky dispelled any concerns by rattling off a 150 partnership. Searing was all brute and hockey shots, Marshall more timing and placement, but they complemented each other perfectly as the Stowe bowlers toiled on a track that was tough to get anyone out on once you had your eye in. Searing reached a well-deserved century (his first for the Frogs) and Marshall struck a few lusty late blows to end on 87* when the skipper called time.

With a potential 50 overs to bowl back to Stowe, the opening pair of Walsh and Wright, as sweet a combo as the Frogs have ever had, set about their task with their usual accurate line and length. The Stowe openers were unable to find much to get their teeth into, and at tea they were already well behind the run rate at 35-0 after 14 overs. After tea, the skipper turned to his spin- twins, Gorton and O’Gorman, and what transpired in the next 14 overs was quite startling. At 47-0, O’Gorman tempted their left-hander to loft a catch to mid-on. Gorton then put on one of the greatest (and shortest) of displays, completely out-foxing the batters with his leg-spin and dippers by taking 7-2 (yes, seven for two!) in 4 overs, including three wickets in one over and twice being on a hattrick. They were all bowled or lbw, expect for a smart catch by Williams at short cover. The Stowe number three watched all of this in horror from the other end, as the final 7 batsmen failed to trouble our scorer, the one and only GT (!), who must have had mixed emotions seeing his leg-spin brothers taking all ten wickets! O’Gorman chipped in with a couple more wickets himself, courtesy of a sharp catch from Gorton at gully and a juggling effort from Searing (drop, drop, drop, drop, drop, catch!). The game was won shortly after 5.30pm, allowing the Frogs to celebrate their achievements at the Red Lion, and discuss whether the Templars had ever suffered such a humiliating defeat.

Frogs: Pascal, Marshall T, Searing, Gorton, Lawrence R, Heigl, Williams M, O'Gorman, Ellis D, Wright, Walsh. Scorers: Allen, Marshall A.

Frogs vs Philanderers

Venue: Exning and Burwell CC

Date: Sunday 4th June

Result: Frogs lose by 7 wickets.

Reporting: Steve Walsh

Frogs: 216 (Grey 102).

Philanderers: 222-3.

On a lovely sunny day at Exning CC, Frogs won the toss and batted first against 10 Philanderers.  Pascal, still struggling to make a left-handed bat work for him, went early, caught behind and was replaced by Grey who set off like a man in a hurry, determined to attack every ball he faced.  Denman was more circumspect and looked nicely set when he was caught behind in the 9th over leaving the score 66-2. The dropped catch that saw Grey to 50 was off only the 22nd ball he faced after which he calmed down a little and mixed in a few singles with his ebullient attacking.  Ward batted with style and aggression and the pair quickly added 104 before Ward was caught for 49.  At the end of the 20th over the Frogs were 170-3 and the Philanderers were under pressure.  The bowlers didn’t wilt though and the fielding was excellent, making light of being a man short.  Sadly, the Frogs batting gradually subsided.  Grey completed an excellent ton from 62 balls but was caught attempting another big hit and none of the long tail managed to get going.  On the first ball of the 38th over the last wicket fell for 216, well below par.

Knowing they had plenty of time, the Philanderers openers played themselves in calmly.  Walsh picked up an early wicket and Chakravaty bowled well up the hill without any luck.  The two Frogs leg-spinners asked some questions of Lockie and Chandrakar but they batted well and put on 88 before Allen picked up Lockie LBW.  The runs mounted steadily.  Dennis bowled 6 decent overs despite not having played for several years.  Allen picked up another wicket just before the last hour but by then the Philanders only needed 75 and they knocked them off comfortably with more than 8 overs to spare. 

It was a pleasure to have three debutants – Denman, Dennis and Chakravarty – all of whom we would like to see again soon.  Thank you to them and everyone else for playing and to everyone who helped put a full side out.  Thank you also to Carol for scoring.  Finally, we thank the Philanderers for their hospitality.  Their unbeaten run rolls on and if the Frogs are to beat them, we will need to put out one of our strongest sides.

Frogs - Walsh (c), Pascal, Denman, Grey, Ward, O'Gorman, Chalk, Chakravarty, Dennis, Allen, Ellis D (Wk).

The Oxford Tour

Frogs vs Oxford Downs CC

Venue: Standlake

Date: Sunday 11th June

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Frogs vs Oxford University Authentics

Venue: The Parks

Date: 12/13th June

Result: Frogs lose by 5 wickets.

Frogs 156 & 167-7 dec.

OU 'Tics 150 & 176-5.

Day 1 

The Frog Army rolled out of their 8 bed house on Botley road, some feeling fresher than others. Having said that, Stanier and GT were proactive in avoiding their inevitable hangovers, by racing around Oxford city centre on Lime Scooters at 2am, the wind on their faces acting as the perfect pre-hangover cure. 

Once everyone had made their way around the congested Oxford ring road, Tour Manager strode confidently towards the fresh wicket that had been prepared looking to win the toss and bowl with his specially selected green wicket attack. Obviously the toss was lost, and the frogs inserted. An excellent start.

Start of play was agreed for 11:15am, with a close on Day 1 at 6pm. AC and Assistant to the Tour Manager were instructed to bat long (till lunch) with a strong Frogs batting unit to follow and cash in once it had stopping nibbling. As with most things on the morning of day 1, the frogs were 33-4 from less than 20 overs. As it turns out, Assistant to the Assistant Tour Manager (O-Mars) and Oxford Blues captain had decided to drop his 6’5,  Chest, Pipes and Salad  Aussie opening quick bowler Justin, who returned 13-6-17-4 in a spell lasting the full two hours before lunch. Justin removed TMac, TMars, CC, and Ridders in extremely seamer friendly conditions which left skipper TMars with little direction to point the finger, other than towards his brother who refuses to pick Justin in the 1s. Thankfully there was a silver lining for the Frogs in that AC was able to battle through diligently, albeit slowly, arriving at lunch ~25*. AC had batted excellently, absorbing a plethora of words from the slip cordon that were questioning his ability to bat at the level of Oxford University 2XI. After an excellent roast lunch, AC was joined by Cal Job at the crease, where things became a bit easier, probably with thanks to Justin removing himself from the attack. Cal accumulated a tidy 19 before making his way back to the pavilion being replaced with Owen. O added 7 before hitting a knee high full toss to mid on. Moving on. AC kept battling and eventually made it to an excellent rearguard 55 before falling victim to one of the Frogs’ chief tormentors, Musa Ali. Stanier and JOG then came together, adding some valuable runs to the total, as did Jono and James Hamilton towards the end of the innings. Stanier was left 31* from 84 balls in an excellent knock, taking the frogs past 150. The pavilion showed it’s appreciation for the lower middle order’s efforts as the Frogs were finally bowled out for 155 from 63 overs, 7 short of the 70 over limit set for the first innings at the toss. An excellent effort from 33-4.

A slightly more happy Tour Manager regrouped with his Frog Army at tea, with senior members of the side fired up by a lower order fightback. As has happened so many times before, TMars took the new ball with Jono. The atmosphere was bubbling as thunder rumbled in the distance, and what followed was one of the best new ball periods seen by the frogs in recent memory. By close of play, the ‘Tics were reduced to 74-4. TMars was able to find the outside edge of opening batsman Wallis, and followed it up with a sharp nip-backer to ‘Tics captain Douglas to set up a hat trick ball at number 4 Dunnett. Coming from around the wicket, TMars induced a big leave from the left hander, with the new duke ball shaving the final coat of varnish from the top off stump. An almost perfect hat-trick ball. Jono then followed this up by finding the outside edge of Barman, caught excellent by O Marshall at first slip. James Hamilton bowled an excellent holding spell of 4 overs 3 maidens, with TMars charging in for the final two overs from the far end. With just three balls left in the innings, TMars strayed onto the pads of Dunnett, who clipped the ball directly to midwicket where he was caught by Stanier. The Frogs certainly changed the momentum of the afternoon and walked proudly from the turf at 6pm with the Tics 74-4 and a lead of 81.

Once the perspiration had ceased, they put on their smarts and armed with magnums of red and Tattinger, they marched to Vincent’s Club for dinner. There they were joined by several older members of the Frogs, including the President, and several Authentics. After starters were inhaled Tour Manager thanked the ‘Tics for inviting the Frogs to play the fixture, and proceeded to open up some nominations for the awarding of Elgar. Unfortunately for him, in the stress of running the tour so efficiently and rushing through the previous evening’s rain to put all of his belongings into the luxury 8 bed student house, Tom had managed to leave his car door open all night. Thankfully there was nothing left in the car to steal, but a lesson for the young man nonetheless. An excellent domain and pudding followed, with their highlight being AT arriving an hour late and proceeding to eat his dinner in reverse (melted ice cream pudding, steak, and garlic prawns) in the heatwave on the top floor of Vinnies. The younger contingent of the touring party then headed to Weatherspoons, followed by the experience of the Oxford Monday night circuit.  Older  More experienced tourists headed to bed ahead of a big day 2 in the parks. 

Day 2 

The frogs turned up at the parks on the morning of Day 2 in a variety of conditions. Thankfully the condition of the wicket was still relatively good, and once TMars had bowled his 3 remaining deliveries from the evening before, Hamilton and OMars got the frogs going.  James bowled well without luck, returning 9-4-36-0. GT was brought onto replace him as the ‘Tics kept batting. Geets, as he did the year before, made short work of the tail, taking 2-8 from 3.2. The ‘Tics were bowled out for 150, giving the Frogs a 5 run lead and a vital first innings win.

The Frogs aimed to be slightly more positive in the second inning, but annoyingly Justin Clarke was back for more fun, removing OMars, TMac and Cal Job in his first spell. AC picked up from where he left off in the first innings, with increasing fluency. Joined by TMars, they put on 49 for the 4th wicket. Rich then stroked it around for a quick-ish 21, with the tail scoring some useful runs before a sporting dec at 167-7 from 45 overs. This left the ‘Tics ~37 overs to chase 174. 

Unfortunately the Frogs couldn’t replicate their bowling performance from the evening prior, however James Hamilton made an early breakthrough, with an excellent 9 over spell from JOG at the other end (2-37). TMac, Stanier and GT shared 10 overs between them, with Macca and GT both snaring a wicket. Unfortunately the ‘Tics opening batsman Wallis went through the gears to get to 50, before eventually falling for 66. This really took the steam out of the Frogs fielding effort. They managed to chase their target for the loss of 5 wickets from the first ball of the final over. A disappointing end to an excellent tour, but a lot of fun had nonetheless.

Before heading home, the Frogs had time to head over the the Up in Arms for a lager, before a few hungry Frogs stopped at Beaconsfield services for a Nandos.

We'd like to offer our thanks to the OU Authentics for their hospitality, to Vincents Club for having us for dinner (and Owen for organising such a splendid dinner), and Jono for ordering in a ridiculous amount of wine. 

 

Frogs vs Gloucester Gypsies

Venue: Stowell Park

Date: 25th June

Result: Frogs lose by 6 wickets.

Frogs 267-5 – Pascal 81, Gorton 80.

Gypsies 270-4 - T Marshall 2-46.

It was a bright warm sunny day when 11 Frogs and a scorer all rose early to set off to the Gloucestershire countryside for a first visit to Stowell Park since 2021. That is 10 Frogs were able to make the start to the journey. Walshy was rather unfortunately at the mercy (there seems to be none) of the apparent incompetence of Zipcar… Messages through Whatsapp told a tale of woes. A dead battery in the original hire car. No further petrol cars nearby available. An electric car with insufficient charge to make the trip out west and back. No available/ working charging points at Oxford services and a lengthy wait to find one in Oxford, an eta of around 13:00 (happily coinciding with lunch). The message to the skipper. Win the toss and bat. Fortunately, this is exactly what happened… Minor edit to this being the opposition skipper generously suggesting that why don’t the Frogs bat first. Richard had successfully negotiated a 45 over match maintaining lunch and tea intervals as standard and the withering look of despair when it was suggested he might open was enough to negotiate himself down to 3.

Thierry (still wielding his left-handed bat) and Tom Marshall went out to get the batting underway. A watchful start and a steady flow of runs followed on what appeared to be a benign wicket although tough to get away anything on a good length. Tom played the role of anchor nicely, rotating the strike whilst Thierry decided to pick up the scoring pace. Some crunching blows sending the ball rocketing to the boundary, nicely mixed in with some solid edges which also found their way to the boundary. It doesn’t matter how you get them. At 57-0 the scoreboard was looking healthy, with Thierry bringing up his 50 about 10 minutes later. Lunch was looming and Tom unfortunately intelligently was out stumped for 33, a mere 9 minutes before lunch. As always it was an excellent lunch, and it was at lunch when the Frogs party for the day was complete with the arrival of Walshy and Carol.

Re-starting after lunch and the Frogs were looking like they were going to need at least 260-280. Something Richard and Thierry took to heart, as Ridders proceeded to go back out and start trying to sweep everything that came his way, with a few glorious shots to the boundary. Thierry also carried on as before lunch before falling LBW for 81. A terrific innings which really set the groundwork. If the Gypsies thought they would get some respite, then they were sadly mistaken as Gorton strode to the crease and promptly smashed his first ball for 4. What followed was an absolute onslaught, with Gorton flaying the ball to all parts, hitting some enormous sixes. One over the pavilion and one straight through the open front door of the pavilion and into the tea-room, miraculously breaking nothing and also not maiming the tea lady! Richard had fallen for 13 and Slabs had joined Gorts at the crease, with some lusty blows of his own but most importantly keeping the board ticking over and rotating the strike. Gorton eventually fell going for another big hit over long-off, this time unfortunately not following through on the shot and being caught on the boundary for a 36 ball 80, consisting of 5 fours and 7 sixes. The innings came to a close with Simon 27* and the Frogs 267-5 from our 45.

The Frogs then took to the field with an unprecedented four leg spinners at the disposal of the skipper, and the gloves being donned by Jack Stanier to assist in the (dubbed by Malc) “Frogs wicket keeping crisis of 2023”. The opening combo of Walsh and Wright (the easiest combo to captain as neither of them really care, as long as Jono can run up a hill) set about their work. Walshy settled into a nice rhythm early one, with the pitch suiting that nagging probing line and length we have all become accustomed to seeing on a Sunday. At the other end the skipper was clearly enjoying bowling up the hill and into the wind, in his second over taking two in two. The first being smartly held by Thierry on the drive, and the second the most plumb of LBW’s you can be. The excited buzz in the huddle hinted at a repeat of Neerav’s heroics on the last visit. With the situation 52-2 at tea, with 31 overs remaining, the game was nicely in the balance. Walshy bowled through his 9 overs and was unlucky to get no reward, maintaining a nagging line and length throughout and doing an excellent job of holding down the top end. The introduction of newbie Peter “Shorty” Short with his Frog in a blender action and fan favourite Gt at the top end had leg spin enthusiasts purring. Visions of a repeat of Stowe, with leg-spin running through the opposition started appearing in the skippers mind.

Sadly this did not materialise. Despite some good bowling, the pitch was becoming less friendly for bowling and flattening out as it always does at Stowell park and boundaries were flowing with regular consistency. A costly drop, some half chances falling short or not quite going to hand certainly didn’t help things for the Frogs. The combination of the opener Williams, and number 4 Brabham for the Gypsies were playing well. They manipulated the field well taking singles where available (and they were readily available) and displayed some excellent boundary hitting (Williams seeming to be a particular fan of the reverse sweep). This might make it sound like a fairly dull 33 overs where little happened other than the Frogs chasing leather. But this would be a disservice to the somewhat unorthodox display of fielding from Gt whereby any body part other than the hands appeared to be employed in stopping the ball (as the day wore on Gt was not the only fielder to stick a boot in to stop the ball). Those who know Stowell Park will also know it can get quite windy, and this Sunday was no different with a strong breeze coming in from the top end. This meant all around were treated to the spectacle of Simon, in his role of custodian of the sweeping boundary, retrieve one of the latest 4s, hurl it in, only for a gust of breeze to sweep his sunhat into the neighbouring field.

With the game seemingly meandering towards the inevitable, Tom was brought into the attack to see if he could make something happen. It took a little longer than hoped, but he certainly did. A good ball reared up aggressively off a length, hitting Williams square in the chest with some force. After a brief delay the next delivery felt inevitable watching from point. A hint wider and the batter tried to play the cut/ dab to 3rd man that had been proving so fruitful, only to under-edge it onto his stumps. For 99. Nasty way to go. Williams was then the next to go (for a well-made 92) courtesy of Tom, chipping one to mid-on which was safely held by Gt. The skipper had brought himself on up the hill, trying round the wicket cutters to see if anything could happen. It went okay but sadly no reward and advice from Richard, “this bat is very good so maybe full and a bit wider to negate it” was completely ineffectual as that too was dispatched. Nothing more than a shrug of the shoulders.

The total was eventually chased down in the 44th over and the day was done. All in all it was a long tough but enjoyable day for the Frogs. Thank you to all who made the journey out and played. There was some terrific batting from Thierry and Gorton, and a solid bowling display all round on a tough wicket to bowl on and take wickets. One feels like next time we’ll need at least 300 and perhaps a 5th leggie…

Frogs vs Gerrards Cross CC

Venue: Gerrards Cross CC

Date: 25th June

Result: Frogs win by 130 runs.

Frogs 249-6 - Pascal 62.

GXCC 119 - Allen 3-22, Moore 3-38

After a heavy day of rain the day before a few frogs may have enjoyed their cricket-less Saturday more than usual, leading to 5/6 sore heads in the playing XI. Nevertheless, the Frogs arrived at Gerrards Cross to find the ground had soaked up the rain well. We decided that knowing the overall reputation of Gerrards Cross being flat, that we would win the toss and bat. This had nothing to do with the sore heads or the Bray contingent turning up 15 minutes before the start, including skipper KG.

The Frogs opening batsmen took the field slightly late due to a quick shower as the players were due to go out, however didn’t take long to get going with Thierry creaming the first ball of the day for 4 through the covers. Rich and Thierry didn’t really look back, quickly getting to 50-0 from 11. The Frogs continued to apply the pressure on Gerrards Cross bowling attack until rich fell for a well-made 42, leaving the Frogs 81-4 off 17. TMac then came to the crease, and with Thierry, applied even more pressure before Thierry fell for a well-made 62, being run out at the non strikers from a lovely McLeod straight drive. With the Frogs being well positioned at 137-2 off 23 overs, Chalky came to the crease and alongside TMac (32). He batted through with the rest of the middle order to score a well made 32*. TMars (11) and myself (13) came and went fairly quickly, leaving the Frogs 185-5 off 34 and quite below par from where we were. However, in came Alex Gorton who scored 39 off 21 to propel the frogs to 238-6 off 39. With Charlie Moore 4* and Chalky getting 11 off the last over, the Frogs finished their batting innings on 249-6 off 40 overs. 

Having overheard Gerrards Cross’ mouthy/cocky Div 10 opening bowler (Paddy) on the sideline saying they had no batsmen, and with the imposing total set, we were very confident as we went out to field.

The Frogs started slowly until TMars bowled their number 2 for 6 leaving GX 26-1 off 7. With TMars bowling a serious spell from one end the Frogs smelt blood, placing five in the corden. GX’s number 3 then proceeded to make everyone’s day by edging one to Charlie Moore at 4th slip, taking a great catch leaving GX 30-2. Ayan also joined the party shortly after, ending with figures of 6-0-33-1. With Charlie replacing Ayan GX crumbled to 52-5. TMars finished with figures of 8-3-17-2. From here on in it was the Frogs leg spin attack that cleaned up the tail quickly. GT 6-0-22-3, Charlie 6-1-38-3 and Alex Gorton 1.4-0-3-1 all bowling far too well for Gerrards Cross’ tail to handle, resulting in the Frogs winning by 130 runs as GX were dismissed for 119 inside 28 overs. 

With a great all round performance it was great for the frogs to get back to winnings ways after so many games recently being lost due to weather and cancellations. 

Massive thanks to Gerrards Cross for getting the game on and also Carol and Ned for scoring and umpiring.

Frogs vs Harefield CC

Venue: The Woods Ground

Date: 30th July

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Frogs 188-2 (23) - Pascal 100, Grey 50. 

Some are born lucky, some have luck thrust upon them, and then there are some for whom rain is nothing but a constant theme! For the third time in succession, once last season and now twice this summer, poor old Gorts found himself skippering a liberated and positively lively Frogs team, at what turned out to be yet another abandoned match, given the quite awful run of weather we’ve endured this summer!

The fixture itself had already seen its fair share of chop and change, as first the match manager designate, Joggers, subsequently found himself double-booked with a holiday in France, and then his first Lieutenant Andy M, was called up for urgent driving duties at the 11th hour. With a reassuringly dried out KG, after last week’s fixture at Gerrard’s Cross, replacing Malc the night before the fixture, it then fell to George Pavey to break his hand the Saturday afternoon prior to the Harefield match, and amazingly, for the second year running!!!

With much WhatsApp activity ensuing overnight, it was thus a minor miracle that eleven good men and true turned up at Harefield at the appointed hour, thanks in no small part to the fine noblemen of M&B who turned out in force.

It thus only left the raising of the Frogs’ flag to be completed before play could get underway. With a Warnfordesque flourish, GT accomplished this - ensuring that our flag was at the masthead and pointedly above that of the home team’s!

Malc having won the toss, from the local home captain James Hamilton, some three or more weeks ago, Frogs opened the batting with the timeless Thierry, and the rejuvenated KG. Against a mixed, but not especially hostile Harefield opening attack, the two plundered 130 off the first 15 overs, with KG finding the middle of the bat, and Thierry making the very best use of every inch of his!  

Thierry reached his 50 first, but there wasn’t so much as a ripple from the assembled crowd – a point he was keen to emphasise to anyone who was close enough to listen. On 52 however, applause rung out from the pavilion and he continued on his merry way.  KG, however, brought his 50 up a couple of overs later with a swashbuckling four, and the pavilion erupted!

Sadly, KG was then undone by a slower than expected first ball from the new bowler Shepherd, spooning it into the grateful hands of Jimmy Hamilton at mid-off. This brought Ben Ward to the crease which, as a leftie, rather threw the fielding team. Though not quite as much as Ben scoring 10 of his 14 runs exclusively off his gloves – imagine how much better he will be once he uses his bat!!!

By now the earlier mizzle had converted to drizzle, but Thierry was propelling his score on with wristy flicks, thick edges over mid-wicket and pulls to the legside boundary. In fading light, he brought up his ton with a delightful four off his hip, only to misread the bowler’s intention two balls later playing all around a perfectly straight one!

This brought the previous days centurion, Ed Denman, to the crease, but with only a further couple of overs possible, due to the strengthening drizzle, the umpires decided that the conditions had worsened sufficiently to warrant a short break.

An early tea was taken but, sadly, the forecaster’s expectations proved correct, as the skies continued to close in, and the rain became heavier. With the majority of the team not even changed into their whites, the match eventually became abandoned somewhere between GT’s second and third helping of tea!

Thanks to all who braved the elements, to Nick for his officiating, to Carol for her usual immaculate scoring, and to the Harefield tea team for a fabulous spread.

Frogs: Pascal, Grey, Ward, Denman+, Patel, Gorton *, Chalk, Wright, Walsh, Chakravarty, Allen. Scorers: C. Quin.

 

Frogs vs Tonbridge Wells CC

Venue: The Neville Ground

Date: Sunday 6th August

Result: Tunbridge Wells win by 149 runs.

Reporting: Marc Williams

Tunbridge Wells 264-5 (60 overs) (O Marshall 2-57)

Frogs: 116 (55 overs) (T Marshall 30)

After the torrential rain that wiped cricket out in the south of the country the previous day, the Frogs descended on the Nevill ground for their debut fixture against Tunbridge Wells CC in glorious sunshine.

Winning the toss, the Frogs asked the hosts to bat on a pitch that wasn’t as green as the skipper had anticipated and looked like it would hold up throughout the day. Marriage and Walsh took the new ball, with Marriage having spent the last month in Germany it took him a while to find his rhythm and when he did find the edge it was somehow put down by T.Marshall at second slip (it transpired that the wrong Marshall sibling had been put at second slip….!). At the other end Walsh was going about things in his usual way – bowling a steady line and length, and the lack of pace appeared to flummox the opening batters. Walsh got the breakthrough in the 12th over when Madgwick got frustrated and tried to go over the top – only to be caught at mid-off by A.Carson. Marriage then picked up the second wicket as Churchill was bowled playing down the wrong line. The introduction of O.Marshall looked to be a stroke of genius as his first ball to the dangerous looking Smith was sliced to Marriage at cover. O.Marshall struck again to remove McCaffrey a few overs later – McCaffrey sweeping only to find Walsh at short fine leg, who somehow threw out a right hand to pluck the ball out of the air. 82-4 after 25 overs was looking promising for the Frogs! Lunch was taken with the hosts on 105-4 after 32 overs, and it was a very nice lunch – complete with cheeseboard and port (this may have been the downfall for the Frogs!). S.Stickler and Baldwin came out post lunch and proceeded to play sensibly and, having got themselves in, proceeded to stroke the ball around the park. The pair put on 140 for the fifth wicket before T.Marshall had Stickler well caught by Pascal at mid-on. Baldwin continued to accumulate as he neared his century, although this was prolonged as the Frogs restricted the strike for him before he finally hit a boundary that saw him reach a well-deserved three figures, and with it the end of the innings. 264 looked to be a decent total on a pitch that appeared to be difficult to get in on, but once you were in batting got easier.

 

The Frogs then had a difficult 15 minutes to bat, as tea was fixed for catering. It turned out that the only players who hadn’t heard this information about the time that tea was being taken in the Frogs changing room were the openers. With Carson playing early and getting caught in the slips off Preece and a couple of overs later Pascal following after a sharp catch in the slips by W.Stickler off of the bowling of Keess. Frogs had limped to tea at 6-2. C.Carson and R.Lawrence resumed after tea and tried to consolidate the innings, however C.Carson fell after playing a rather rash shot off the bowling of McLean. T.Marshall joined Lawrence in the middle and looked to consolidate the innings without getting bogged down by knocking the ball into the many gaps in the field. The partnership was going well until Lawrence was adjudged LBW (although there seemed to be a hint of bat involved), off the bowling of McLean for 23. With things looking like they couldn’t get any worse for the Frogs, T.Marshall somehow managed to toe end a pull shot straight to short extra cover off the bowling of McLean. O.Marshall replaced his brother at the crease, but this was just a fleeting visit as he tried to heave McCaffrey through the legside he gave a simple catch at mid-off. O’Gorman was next in and after a couple of impressive sweeps off the leg spin of McCaffrey he too played an aggressive shot that just got stuck in the wicket which allowed an easy catch at backward point. Next to go was Williams, who was bowled by Churchill. This left Walsh and Marriage to see what they could salvage, Marriage lasting 45 balls before being hit on the pads by McCaffrey. This left it down to the veterans of the side – Walsh and Marshall to see if they could see out the remaining overs, however it wasn’t to be as Walsh’s 76th ball hit him plumb in front to give McCaffrey a 4-fer. Not the Frogs finest innings – with too many of the top and middle order playing rash shots.

 

Special thanks to Carol as always for scoring and for Miles for umpiring. Thanks also to Neil from TWCC for putting the game on and for arranging such a good spread for lunch and tea. We look forward to the fixture next year where hopefully we can be slightly more competitive!

 

Frogs: Williams*+, A.Carson, Pascal, C.Carson, Lawrence, T.Marshall, O.Marshall, O’Gorman, Walsh, Marriage, A.Marshall

Frogs vs Sussex Martlets CC

Venue: Horsham CC

Date: Tuesday 15th August

Result: Draw.

Reporting: Andrew Carson

Sussex Martlets (toss) 248-7 dec (50) - Gorton 4-49.

Frogs 168-5 (48) - Carson A 54*.

 

The Frogs arrived at Horsham CC on a pleasant August day with match manager/captain/first officer Slabbert in the simulator in preparation for his exam so Andy Carson skippered on the day. His first action was to lose/agree the toss and the Frogs were in the field. The pitch was a little slow and offered assistance to the spinners.

In the all day timed game it was Jono Wright and Stephen Walsh opened the bowling for the Frogs and there were a few balls just chipped wide of fielders but the Martlets got off to a solid start. One ball didn’t carry to Rich at slip and he managed to partially bust a finger which meant that Chalky moved from gully to slip and one flew through the gap that had been vacated by Rich’s absence. At the other end though, Rich’s temporary absence proved dividends as Chalky took an excellent catch off Walshy at first slip, 36-1 after 8. On Rich’s return to the field he stood mostly on the cover boundary to look after his finger and it was there he cajoled a fan club for Tom Allen who was given rapturous applause for a stop he made off Neerav by his new fans. Tom Allen was also bowling as he replaced Walsh from the railway end with Neerav at the tennis court end.

Chadburn (the other Martlets opener) batted nicely though and was taking on the bowlers until he was undone by a Neerav Trivedi leg cutter which why skied to Jono at backward point for 46. Neerav making his first Frogs appearance of the summer after extend break in Australia. However Ferro at three was providing excellent support and he did most of the scoring in a 40 run third wicket partnership until Alex Gorton bowled Foster (7) and had Osborne c&b (0) before lunch, leaving the Martlets 129-4 from 31.

After lunch the Martlets took a positive approach and the Frogs couldn’t quite stem the flow with Jono and Kurt Heigl from the railway end and Gorts continuing from the tennis court end, as 70 came in 10 overs. The Frogs though did then change the ball as unfortunately the seam on the first one had disintegrated, after Walshy had exclaimed “he wouldn’t bowl off spin in the nets with it” – for reference see match report from 2022 tour game  vs Somerset Stragglers! The replacement ball at least had a correct seam and wasn’t the reason the Martlets lost three wickets in the next three overs! First Gorton had Hunt caught by Neerav for 51, Walsh had Ferro caught by Kurt at mid on for an excellent 81 and Gorton then had Taylor bowled for 1 at 210-7 from 44.1 overs (finishing with 4-49). However, the Martlets had a couple of positive overs at the end, finishing on 248-7 from 50 overs – an excellent score.

With the bat, the Frogs knew that runs against the new ball were key on a pitch offering assistance to the spinners. Kieran Grey opened with Rich and it was KG who was set to be more aggressive, but with some good Martlets bowling KG was bowled for 15(24). Kurt joined Rich for the pre tea period but was bowled for 7 on the stroke of tea leaving the Frogs 45-2 from 15 with Rich 19*.

After tea with the Frogs needing a testing nearly 6 an over for the last 35 overs, skipper AC joined Rich but in the face of some more accurate bowling the Frogs struggled to put the foot down against the spin. Rich had feathered behind for 20 and Chalky joined AC but was caught at mid on for five trying to go over the top. This left the Frogs 69-4 from 27, needing 180 from what turned out to be 24, which became 167 as the last hour was called.

Gorts had joined AC and was dropped by mid off running back in a very tough chance from the last ball before the last hour. Putting his life behind him it was Gorts who was the more aggressive of the two as the Frogs tried to keep touch in face of some very good quality spin. The pair did manage to get 68  off the first 10 in the last hour with Gorts starting to find his range. He had hit three impressive sixes as with 10 to go the Frogs need 99 there was the first glimmer of hope! However, the next three overs only saw 11 runs despite Gorts trying his best and AC trying to find the gaps, though AC did reach his 50 from 81 balls.

With 88 from 42 to get the two set batters decided it was time for the big over but a ball above the eyes deceived Gorts who was trying to start the over with a maximum and was bowled for 40 from 43. As the Frogs needed 88 from 41 balls and with a slightly longer tail today than normal, it looked a long way off without the fire power required. At 87 off 36 balls the win was unfortunately out of the question for the Frogs so Jono and AC had to settle for a draw and saw off the next four overs when both skippers shook hands with two overs to go, AC finishing 54* and Jono 8*.

So the Frogs finished 80 runs behind with five wickets in hand, having batted the same amount of overs. Credit to the Martlets who got a good score on the board and whose spinners the Frogs just couldn’t get away. Thanks also to Horsham for their excellent hospitality and we very much look forward to next year.

Frogs - Carson A, Chalk, Walsh, Lawrence R, Trivedi, Grey, Pascal, Gorton, Allen, Ellis D, Heigl.

Frogs vs Maidenhead and Bray CC

Venue: Bray

Date: Sunday 20th August

Result: Frogs’ win by 29 runs.

Frogs 185 ao.- Vaja 77.

Maidenhead & Bray 156 ao. - Wright 4-4.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” aptly embraces this year’s encounter with Maidenhead and Bray on the banks of the Thames.

In view of the England v Australia over-70’s match management incorrectly advising the date of their third fixture to the M&B fixture secretary, a ‘clash’ arose between M&B’s fixture with the Frogs, and their hosting this contest between ‘old enemies’!

Despite initial antipathy from some quarters for playing on M&B’s second pitch at Jubilee Fields, grit and resolve rose to the fore the Tuesday before the match, with KG displaying admirable ‘PMA’ to not only raise an excellent home side, but to assist the Frogs in filling their ranks, with several local ‘Frogs’ drawn from the home club.

So it was that we arrived at M&B on one of the few glorious days that this summer has granted us, actually with 23 playing members in total, an umpire, and a bucket full of resolve to enjoy a full afternoon’s cricket.

Prior to the start, a heartfelt and articulate eulogy was given in memory of Sir Michael Parkinson, by Tim Child, M&B’s chairman, followed by a minute’s clapping in recognition of the enormous contribution Sir Michael had made to the club over the last forty odd years.

With agreement between the captains, Frogs won the toss and elected to bat, with Ben Ward and the younger Vaja brother, Krish opening the Frogs’ innings.

Interestingly, Krish started his innings with four consecutive singles, most out of character, but this all changed as he moved through the gears. In the eighth over Ben succumbed early on to a straight, but low…ish one from Morthy, to herald Ridders onto the scene. Equally uncharacteristically, Ridders stroked two sublime fours from his first three scoring strokes, to belie the lengthy and somewhat ‘hairy’ outfield. He then got an absolute pee-roller to become the first of Liju Kunnummal’s four victims.

At the other end, Krish was finding something close to top gear, doing his damnedest to lose countless balls in the various shrubbery surrounding the ground.

His older brother had by this time attempted to trouble the scorer, but with little joy, and on 77 Krish became another of Kunnummal’s scalps.

From 117-1, Frogs were now stuttering at 126-4, which all too soon became 158-8 with the dismissal of most of the middle order for single figures. Having eyed up 200+, the skipper had sought to dig in, but successive partners found different ways of handing the momentum back to M&B.

Coming in at nine, Walshy looked like changing the dynamic, before generously hitting the ball back to the bowler….KG! Which brought GT to the crease, fresh from a stag-night on the town in South Wales. Having snatched little more than an hour’s sleep, and a cheese baguette on the train home, GT limbered up with a snooze in the adjacent children’s playground. Clearly this worked for him, as he judiciously pinch-hit 12 from the last three and a half overs which, alongside the skipper’s miserly scratchings, left Frogs totalling 185.

Not only did M&B provide a quite excellent tea between the two innings, but they also delivered it across the road to the Jubilee Field – graciously plundered by all present.

Tea was thus done and dusted, and the M&B innings started in pyrotechnic fashion, with Bailey hitting Walshy for 4, 6, 4, in his first over. Fortunately, this proved short-lived, as both he and his opening partner Manchanda perished with the score on 14. Bailey’s dismissal, however, wasn’t without incident, as both Walshy and Joe Mac went for the catch, with the younger and more well-padded Joe coming off a lot better than Walshy! Having taken the full count on the ground, Walshy nevertheless was able to complete his over and indeed go on to bowl his full allocation of eight overs.

From the other end, and running in ‘up the hill’ was Jono, who seemed to have greater control both of the ball and of his fielders than I’ve ever witnessed before! Not only did he return figures of 5-4-4-4, but he had Gorts snatching two fine catches in, of all places, the Gully!

By this stage the M&B upper order had somehow found interesting ways of getting dismissed, including M. Thomas running himself out….for what was believed to be the second consecutive day! At 29-6, it rather looked like the home team’s resolve had wilted, but not so…..in strode Liju Kunnummal, who had scored something nlike 120+ on this same strip the afternoon before. Setting about his business, he sought to restore calm and order, and with KG’s arrival at seven wickets down, all was certainly not lost.

Ignoring the lengthy outfield, KG began to plunder the bowling, by bypassing the ground, and landing bombs in the undergrowth. Suddenly all was not straightforward, and the game was beginning to turn on its axis. While Alex Leclerc had replaced Jono at the playground end, Gorts was wheeling away from the Maidenhead end. KG and Liju were beginning to put M&B in an ever more commanding position – with the outcome of the game far from certain.

The elder Vaja brother, Alkesh, then replaced Alex Leclerc with a firm warning to the skipper that his ‘meds’ weren’t as swift as Jono’s. Joe McC behind the stumps pointedly and painfully disagreed, however, as several low balls thudded into his shins! And those that missed his body, shot to the boundary for byes.

Eventually, Gorts got his first victim, with Liju chipping a high floaty catch to Jono at midwicket, and having been heaved for several boundaries, Alkesh also managed to induce a rash shot out of KG, to a straight one that “jagged back a bit”.

The final coup-de-grace was performed by Gorts, taking his second wicket with the help of Krish at slip, pouching his first of four attempts.

All in all, an excellent afternoon’s play, and a first-class exhibition of optimism and positivity by Maidenhead and Bray and KG in particular – thanks to all for making it such an enjoyable match, played in exactly the right spirit.

Frogs: Krish Vaja; Ben Ward; Rich Lawrence; Alkesh Vaja; Chalky*; Joe McCarthy+; Alex Gorton; Alex Leclerc; Jono Wright; Steve Walsh; Tom Allen.