Frogs Leading Performances 2025

Batting:

Sargeant 114 vs Uppingham Rovers

Wessels 106 vs Uppingham Rovers

Gorton 102* vs SOA 

Grey 100* vs Gerrards Cross CC

Pascal 88 vs John Lyon School

Lawrence 86* vs Oxford Downs CC

Ogden 80 vs Maidenhead and Bray CC

Parekh 67 vs John Lyon School

Rosnegk 65 vs Stowe Templars

Lawrence 62 vs Beaconsfield

Pavey 58 vs Sussex Martlets

Hamilton 56* vs SOA

Fitzpatrick 54 vs OU Authentics

Rust 53 vs Beaconsfield

Moore 52 vs John Lyon School

Marshall T 50* vs Stowe Templars

Bowling:

Gorton 5-94 vs SOA

Gorton 4-24 vs Oxford Downs

Maloney 4-44 vs Beaconsfield

Gorton 3-4 vs John Lyon School

Sw Manchanda 3-29 vs Beaconsfield

Manum 3-38 vs SOA

McLeod 3-46 vs OU Authentics

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Frogs vs Maidenhead and Bray

Sunday 17th August

Bray

Frogs lose by 8 wickets

Frogs 179ao - Ogden M 80

Maidenhead and Bray 180/2

Reported by Thomas Wilding

The Frogs made the shortish hop over to Maidenhead and Bray on what was forecast to be a “typical hot stinking day”. Skipper Wilding won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Pascal and Williams got things off to a positive start, punishing the bad balls. Williams (11) was the first to fall playing around a straight one to one which kept low. Rust, in his second frogs game, continued the positivity. However Frogs couldn’t get a partnership established, Pascal falling for 22 having found mid, before the skipper didn’t trouble the scorers, adjudged LBW having played the ball with his front pad surfboard one too many times. Rust (19) followed shortly thereafter, again adjudged LBW, leaving the Frogs 56/4 in the 14th over. Marshall and Matt Ogden then started about the recovery, running well and putting the bad ball away. However the momentum change didn’t last long, a miscommunication left Marshall stranded a couple of yards short on a quick single and he was run out for 18, leaving the Frogs 93/5 in the 24th over. This prompted a mini collapse as Dan Ogden (1) was bowled, Chalk (2) the third LBW of the afternoon, and Poshy (4) all fell quickly leaving the Frogs precariously placed at 108/8. Gorton muscled himself to 10 with a useful partnership of 24 with M.Ogden before he skied one. No.11 Jono Wright however showed the batters where they had been going wrong with a defiant 9*, including a D.Gower-esq back foot square drive to the boundary, supervising Ogden to a well constructed 50, before Ogden took the attack to M&B in the closing stages, being bowled in the 40th over for an excellent 80. Frogs all out for 179 in 40 overs which was well short of a par score.

After an emaculate tea where discussion was on who was going to don the keeping gear, Marc Williams agreeing to come out of semi retirement to do the honours.

In response M&B started positively, TMars bowled a tight opening spell, picking up the opener Hussain for 3, however he was otherwise unlucky in an opening opening spell with little other reward. Jono Wright withdrew himself from his opening burst due to being tired failing hamstrings. Sub fielder GT assisted allowing Jono to rest his struggling hammies with all the positivity and endless enthusiasm that he is known for. Poshy and Gorton then bowled a tight set between them, Gorton picking up M&Bs overseas, and occasional Frog, Wessels. However that was all the joy the Frogs would enjoy as charlatans, traitors established Frogs Sameer Manchanda (89*) and Kieran Grey (51*) batted positively and faultlessly. Bowling changes at both ends saw the Ogden brothers bowl in tandem, however without any luck whatsoever, probing either side of the bat without any fortune or joy, with some exuberant appeals, polite enquiries of the umpires failing to persuade a trigger.

M&B knocked the winning runs off with 5 overs to spare. A good day out was had by all, and as ever M&Bs post match hospitality was warm and friendly.

Frogs: Wilding, Chalk, Williams, Marshall T, Ogden M, Ogden D, Rust, Gorton, Wright, Allen (briefly), Pascal, Lawton C.

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Frogs vs Gloucester Gypsies

Sunday 10th August

Stowell Park

Frogs lose 

Frogs 

Gypsies

Reported by Wayne Whitson

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Frogs vs Devon Dumplings

Thursday 7th August

Queens College, Oxford

Frogs win?

Frogs 

Dumplings

Reported by James Hamilton

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Frogs vs East Molesey 

Tuesday 5th August

East Molesey CC

Frogs lose by 5 wickets

Frogs 139ao

East Molesey 143/5

Another new fixture for the year, the Frogs travelled into London for a game against East Molesey.

Upon arrival the pitch seemed to be quite tired and looked likely to cause trouble through the afternoon. The Frogs were invited to have a bat which skipper-for-the-day Searing agreed as the track was hardly going to get any better to bat on!

Openers Carson and Wilding started proceedings and it immediately became obvious there were more demons in the pitch than previously thought, with Carson (11) being the first casualty (literally), retiring hurt from a ball that spat off a length into his arm. Due to the wonders of modern technology, the match was recorded on the aptly named Frogbox, allowing all Frogs supporters not at the game to provide their opinion on what Carson had gone wrong, along with other choice moments in the match.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals through the Frogs innings, either through demons in the pitch causing balls to stay low, or by the odd good ball coming amidst an array of weird and wonderful deliveries from their 9 bowlers. The Frogs were eventually bowled out in the 37th over for 139. Contributions came from one and all, albeit small contributions, with Gorton enjoying some freedom in the lower order for his 22, batting nicely with Chalk (13)

After an excellent tea of bolognese and various cakes, The Frogs took to the field (minus Carson), eager to see what they could extract from the pitch.

Being 1 down in the field led to Molesey graciously providing a spare fielder on rotation. 1 turned out in shorts, much to the displeasure of the umpire. This did seem to lead to all future fielders appearing in shorts. I don’t know if the two events were related…

Chakravarthy (0-22 off 4) and debutant Soni (1-16 off 6.4) took the new ball, doing an admirable job of taking the shine off the ball for the barrage of slow bowlers. Gorton (2-20 from 9) was the first to make inroads with excellent drift and turn, getting his first wicket well caught at slip by Wilding, before getting the other opener LBW. J Child (1-24 from 9) was next in on the action, bowling Molesey’s no3.

Unfortunately Molesey’s no4 was proving difficult to remove and took a very good catch by Gorton at midwicket off the bowling of another debutant, Griffiths (1-35 from 8) to remove. However at this point the damage had been done and Molesey were inching towards the required total, despite the best efforts of Sergeant (0-19 off 5. Soni took the last of the wickets, coming back on for a second spell with one that stayed particularly low for an LBW.

The final result was that Molesey reached the required runs in the 42nd over, 5 down. Certainly a closer game than it could have been, so very well done to the bowlers for giving it a good go!

Thanks go to East Molesey for hosting us - hopefully it can turn into a repeat fixture. Also thank you to Umpire Paul and Scorer Carol.

Frogs: Carson A, Wilding, Child T*, Sergeant, Searing, Griffiths*, Child J, Gorton, Chalk, Chakravarthy, Soni*

*Debutant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syA1GYh2NYU&t=3361s

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Frogs vs Sussex Martlets

Tuesday 29th July

Hurstpierpoint College

Frogs lose by 8 wickets

Reported by Jono Wright

Frogs 183-8. G. Pavey 58, A Carson 42. 

Sussex Martlets 186-2. S Walsh 12-3-27-0,  J Wright 13-1-58-2.

There was a time in the recruitment process for this match where it looked like we could be fielding four leg spinners… Alas this was not the case in the end, but a formidable Frogs side assembled at Hurstpierpoint College on an overcast afternoon. Despite early misgivings about a possibly rain affected game courtesy of First Officer Slabbert and subsequent research into the proximity of a nearby brewery (more on this later), most were optimistic of a full game of cricket being completed. An early inspection of the pitch confirmed for the skipper something he has known for quite some time, that is he doesn’t have a clue how to read a pitch. At the toss the format was confirmed to be 45/45 declaration with no/ sensible bowling restrictions (insisted on by yours truly thanks to a slightly depleted bowling attack). Mission failed successfully, the toss was lost and the Frogs were asked to bat, either the opposition skipper took pity on us or knew something we didn’t.

In a rare occurrence, no negotiation was required for the batting line up and Thierry and Tom Wilding strode out to open the batting. The conversation on the sideline turned to wondering when Tom had last hit a ball for the Frogs and concluded it must have been at least a year. After the first two overs passed by uneventfully with no runs off the bat, it was observed that he still hadn’t hit a ball… Craftily the Martlets had opened up with left arm cheat code slow left arm at one end and this was a sign of things to come with plenty more spinners to follow.

Nevertheless, a watchful start from the two caused no concern and patience was rewarded as they started to find gaps for the occasional boundary but also taking plenty of ones and twos to the deep point and cover regions aided by a slow outfield. The early lap was going well and it was not long after Walshy had expressed concern about the level of marketing and advertising support at a school for a brewery (spoiler dear reader, it was in fact the school logo and shortened name which had been mistaken for beer advertising, perhaps the earlier talk of a local brewery had distracted Mr Walsh) that disaster struck as Thierry was run out by Tom cover looking for a quick single for 17 off 29 balls. This brought Andy Carson to the crease and he proceeded to bat nicely with good authority, striking some lovely straight shots to the boundary. Tom was the next to go having done the hard work getting to 26 before falling to his old nemesis the full toss. 61-2 at 15 overs was nothing electric but a good position to build from with both openers reporting a slightly sticky wicket and one which was tough to put it away balls on a good length. Wildings departure brought debutant George Pavey to the crease. Many may recognise this name from the three previous attempts at a debut (two of which were prevented by a broken finger). Luckily against all odds (and they weren’t in his favour when he admitted to having spent the weekend fielding at short extra cover) he made it to the middle in one piece where he and Andy continued the work of the openers and ran nicely between the wickets. With the score 98-2 at drinks the Frogs were in a good position to build on the early work and look to double the total. Rather unfortunately Andy was back in the pavilion a couple of overs later after nicking off to another Martlets spinner for a well-made 42. It was here that the innings took something of a stumble and after Chalky departed for 6, Slabbert for 0,  Gorton for 11 and McCarthy for 1 the cat was amongst the pigeons and it was now a case of bat the overs and see what we could get. George too this as a sign to up the rate and joined by Sameer Manchada (17*) the pair dutifully added 39 runs to drag the Frogs to a respectable total. George batted superbly to make 58 from 83 balls, bringing up his 50 with a glorious shot for 6 over mid-off. The Frogs finished on 183-8 from the 45 overs, probably 40 shy of what we would have liked ideally but certainly something to bowl at.

After an excellent tea the Frogs took to the field with a dark red dukes and the knowledge that it would need a strong bowling performance to leave with 20 points. Walshy opened up coming down the hill and immediately proved why he should be the first consideration for any sane match manager, settling in to a comfortable nagging line and length. It seemed like the early prediction that it wasn’t that easy to bat one was going to come true. In his natural habitat the skipper Wright opened up from the other end up the hill which was looking steeper and steeper by this stage. Some early inconsistent low bounce provided some encouragement that it wasn’t going to be a straightforward chase. The Martlets openers Rebbetts and Ritchie started much like the Frogs openers earlier, watchfully and patiently waiting for the bad balls to come which rather unfortunately happened a few times too many from the skipper and Ritchie took a liking to the missed length with some impressive striking through the leg side, forcing the skipper to bring himself off after conceding 40 runs from his first 6 overs. Luckily at the other end The Metronome was living up to his name and bowling a superb spell and I can say it was an absolute treat to watch from mid-off. The Martlets batters were clearly struggling to get anything away and the instruction to Walshy was “tell me when you want to stop because otherwise I’m bowling you into the ground”. In a herculean effort Walshy’s spell finally ended at drinks having bowled 12 overs for only 27 runs (only three boundaries) and with 3 maidens. That this was a wicketless spell is an absolutely horrible injustice and proof that the cricketing gods clearly hate hard working seam bowlers. Meanwhile Gorton had replaced the skipper coming up the hill and was extracting prodigious turn with at least one delivery spinning past bat and keeper needing to be taken by Wilding at 1st slip. However the Frogs were still wicketless and Ritchie was trying to play plenty more shots as his innings became more aggressive. The wicketless run wasn’t helped by yours truly dropping a skier off Ritchie not long after he had reached his 50. Sorry again Gorts. Sameer had replaced Walshy at the top end to see if a change could break the partnership and after a three over stint there was no shifting. With some gentle encouragement from Walshy the skipper brough himself back on for a second stint this time in unfamiliar territory coming down the hill. Turns out it is much easier running down the hill and with the first ball of the second spell Ritchie clipped one straight to Andy at midwicket who took a good low catch. Could this be the turning of the tide? It seemed like it when 3 balls later the number 3 was removed playing onto his stumps. With Wright and Gorton bowling tightly and an excellent fielding display from the Frogs (a special mention for Thierry who was getting peppered and stopping balls more effectively than Trumps wall) hope was on the horizon. Taking the rest of the 8 wickets was going to be a challenge but the possibility of forcing a draw was firmly on the cards. Slabbert was coerced into a spell replacing Gorton, who bowled a fine 12 over spell for 48 runs, and picked up where Alex had left off bowling some absolute jaffers as well. How this pair didn’t take a wicket is beyond me, perhaps the cricketing gods were preoccupied watching another game? The final runs were knocked off with the first ball of the penultimate over and the dream was done. A mention to Rebbetts who finished with a very good 66* and made the chase seem very comfortable.

Thank you to all who played, a special mention to Walshy for a superb spell, George for a fine 58 on debut and Andy for a very handy 42. The effort put in by all was terrific. Thanks also to Carol for scoring and John Holland for umpiring.

Frogs: J Wright, T Wilding, T Pascal, A Carson, G Pavey, R Chalk, S Slabbert, A Gorton, J McCarthy, S Manchada, S Walsh.

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Frogs vs Gerrards Cross CC

Sunday 27th July

Gerrards Cross CC

Frogs win by 6 wickets

Reported by Stephen Walsh

The Frogs side looked nicely balanced as we took the field against Gerrards Cross on a warm bright day.  The GX openers came out determined to play shots against Walsh and Wright but fell in the fourth and fifth overs, the first bowled, the second nicely caught by Pascal off Wright.  Their replacements selected their shots more carefully and kept the score moving at 5 an over until Donbosco hit a high catch to the Frogs’ tallest fielder, Sargeant.  Few others would have reached it.  Allen and Lawton replaced the openers and in Allen’s second over Ryder hit a short ball hard and flat to Sargeant on the square leg boundary where it was nonchalantly taken – 89 for 5 off 19 overs.  Thomas and Westbrook-Burgh now played well to add 80 in the next 10 overs though Allen and Lawton’s bowling figures were not helped by their captain’s unwillingness to set defensive fields.  Sergeant’s first ball of the day was drilled back at him by Thomas and the partnership ended.  Chalk and Pascal took decent catches off Sergeant and Gorton respectively and in the 39th over Sergeant took another excellent caught and bowled with his already bruised hands and then bowled Evans to leave GX all out for 232.  Joe McCarthy had not looked as if he was playing his first game of the season, standing up to most of the bowlers and keeping very tidily. 

On a good track, the score looked below par and so it proved.  Williams clearly relished batting against the brisk GX openers and took 4 4s off the third over.  Pascal kept the score moving until he was bowled in the 7th over for 12 and Williams went the same way for 31 in the 9th.  Grey and Lawton then picked up the scoring rate against the change bowlers.  Lawton scored freely with trademark cuts and off drives, as well as a delicious uppercut to third man off a wild short ball, until he was bowled for 30.  He was replaced by Chalk who made 5 while Grey continued serenely past 50.  When Sergeant came in with the score on 172 the only question was whether Grey could get to 100 before the game was won.  He finally did so, after a few last-minute alarms and near misses, in the 36th over.  Well batted Kieran.

Thank you to all who played, Carol for scoring and Ben for umpiring.  A good day out all round.

Frogs: Steve Walsh (c), Thierry Pascal, Marc Williams, Kieran Grey, Richard Chalk, Chris Lawton, Adam Sergeant, Alex Gorton,  Joe McCarthy (wk), Jono Wright, Tom Allen

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Frogs vs South Oxfordshire Amateurs

Thursday 26th June

Queens College

Frogs win 

Reported by Alex Thomas

Gorts (and 9 fellow frogs) convened

On a parched Queens ground

Ready to take on the SOA.

To say it was a challenge getting a side is the 

Opposite of an understatement. 

No matter, minus a drop out at 12.52, we were set to

Go. Recruit Mamun paired with Walsh to take

On the SOA openers, and Mamun

Reaped the first reward.

Tidy opening spells from the pair laid way for

Our only Beaconsfield captain to

Neutralize all opponents.

Giddy were we behind the wicket.

Of course, he needed debutant Shreyas to

Remove their one left hander. This allowed Gorts

To torment the SOA, the highlight being an

Outrageous Warne-esque leggie. 

Not to be outdone, Manum took two in two,

Going too straight on the vital ball.

Of course, after 16 overs unchanged,

Reeling off 5-94, the SOA declared 

To cheers from the Frogs faithful.

Opening the batting, Theirry and Tejas. Oh

No! Theirry caught at slip. 10-1.

Gulps were palpable in throats.

Out strode Jimmy,

Running hard, as he would do all day.

Tejas took up the mantle,

Over everyone the ball went.

No! A screamer caught off a top edge sweep.

Go on Hofen, who's mate claimed he was

Over-beveraged to be our 11th despite

Running laps keeping up with Hof's

Travels from slip to cow corner.

Oh wait, he did chunder on a sandwich.

Nevertheless 11 would have been too many.

Giddy with glee, Hof aimed for the river, then

Outdone by the straight one from Banbury's gun.

'Run free', AT told Gorts, 'my floater'

To pongo or not to pongo, 

O skip, how must I play their best bowler,

Nay I shall respect no name.

Go over long on I shall,

Oh wow I hit that pretty well,

Righto, let's keep doing that.

To swing or not to swing,

Onwards we shall do.

No Jimmy, stop trying to run me out at square leg.

'Go' Jimmy thought, 'go',

Onwards for Gorts's ton,

Run hard for him I shall,

Tbf I did get 50 red. 

On into the penultimate over, 10 to get, 

'No' Thierry did cry, 'win the fucking game'.

'Gulp' thought Gorts,

Oh woe would be me

Reaching so close

To the perfect game.

Oh good, two yum yums

Now I shall carve over cover.

Gorts reached his hundred,

Oh joy to the frogs.

Respect to Carol for scoring and

To Chris our umpire.

On the frogs shall march

Next week Old Cranleighains face our wrath!

Frogs XI: T. Pascal, T. Anand (d), J. Hamilton, C. Hofen (d), A. Gorton (gun), R Chalk, S. Anand (d), A. Thomas (c, wk), S. Walsh, Mamun (d)

 

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Frogs vs John Lyon School

Monday 23rd June

Sudbury Fields

Frogs win by 181 runs

Reported by Owen Marshall

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Frogs vs Stowe Templars

Sunday 24th June

Stowe School

Frogs win by 8 wickets

Reported by Thierry Pascal

On another glorious June morning, the Frogs arrived at the beautiful surroundings of Stowe School, seeking revenge for last year’s close loss. The Frogs had assembled a strong, balanced team (only 5 spinners available!) supported by debutant Devam Shah and returning Frogs legend, Mark Rosenegk. In spite of it being a “bat first” pitch, the skipper bent to the Templars captain’s request for the Templars to bat first (“sans” toss) and set out on the task of bowling on a now typically slow and low Stowe pitch (not what Duckett would have learnt to play on!)

Our seam twins, Jono Wright and Devam Shah, opened up, but it looked a little ominous when Wright went for 11 in the first over. However, Shah quicky turned things around with a wicket off his fourth ball, bowling the Templars opener with a beautiful little outswinger. Shah took another wicket in his second over, Alex Gorton gobbling up a sharp catch at short extra cover. Wright, not to be outdone by the young debutant, claimed wickets in his third and fourth overs, bowling their number 3, with Joe O’Gorman holding a tidy, sliced, swirling catch over his head at cover point. At 4-35 after 7 overs, it looked like the game may be over by lunch. A fifth wicket followed shortly after once the bowling baton had been passed on to Gorton and John Child; Gorton (1-34 off 8) bowling another youngster thinking they could play him off the back foot! However, the Templars had shuffled their order a little and in their number 5, Rhys Noble, who was on the books for Northampton U-18’s, they had a man to rebuild their innings. Playing skilfully and sensibly, although a little lucky on a close lbw decision and a sharp stumping from Kyle Bradley, (standing up for most of the innings, outstandingly), he helped the Templars to lunch at 120-5. Matt Ogden and Owen Marshall had replaced Gorton and Child before lunch, and they continued post-lunch, with Ogden bowling Tom Young for a hard worked 31, the only other Templars batter apart from Noble to reach double figures. Ogden (2-32) and Marshall (1-25) bowled a 20 over spell, conceding only 57 runs with quality spin bowling, supported by tight fielding. Whilst Noble continued on his pursuit to set the Frogs any realistic target, Marshall and Ogden each picked up a wicket apiece, before Shah (3-28 off 7) and Wright (3-39 off 7) returned to clean up the tail, Bradley finally getting his deserved stumping. Noble, with an outstanding 107, was the last man to fall, caught at deep mid-off by Rosenegk. The Templars finished on 189 all out off 39 overs.

With plenty of time to knock off the runs, Thierry Pascal and Rosenegk, opening together for the first time in 23 years, (the only 90’s reunion that people were really talking about!) set about the task with aplomb. Hitting the bad ball for boundaries, and running between the wickets like in their prime, the Frogs reached tea at 85 without loss after 15 overs, Pascal sweeping and Rosenegk gliding the ball into gaps effortlessly. After tea, the skipper fell for 44, and Tom Marshall joined Rosenegk for a bit of a procession, Marshall looking immediately fluent. They added a further 89 runs in 17 overs, before Rosenegk fell for 65. O’Gorman, playing as a batsman, joined to knock off the remaining runs, allowing Marshall to reach his half-century before the close. A very simple victory by 8 wickets before the final 20 overs had begun, allowing for a trip to the local for a couple of drinks.

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Frogs vs Beaconsfield CC

Sunday 15th June

Beaconsfield CC

Frogs win by 49 runs

Reported by Alex Gorton

On a fine sunny afternoon, the Frogs made the journey to Wilton Park to take on Beaconsfield CC. With a flat wicket and fast outfield, runs were always likely to flow freely with both the Frogs and the hosts boasting deep batting line ups. As is standard for the Frogs, spin was the order of the day with four tweakers being present in the Frogs ranks.

Having agreed the toss the day before over some light refreshment, Swappy Manchanda led the Frogs for the first time whilst Match Manager Gorts led the home side – surely the first time that the opposition captain is writing the Frogs match report – as the hosts took to the field. Thierry and Richard opened the innings for the Frogs, quickly taking a liking to the left arm seam option whilst more circumspect against the new ball spinner. Thierry was the first to fall, yorked for 11, bringing Paddy to the crease to join Ridders. The pair kept the run rate ticking along, punishing the bad ball and running well between the wickets. It was left to the 13 year old ‘Mini-Gorts’ to break the partnership, Paddy falling for 25 after holing out to mid off. Frogs at this point were very much in the driving seat, which was further confirmed as Frogs debutant Johnny Rust strode to the crease. Whereas Richard serenely continued along as usual, Johnny brought some more forceful ball striking to the affair, scoring quickly especially in front of square. Richard had fallen LBW to Gorts with the score on 117 for an excellent 62 by the time Johnny went to a debut 50, whilst Posh (4) and Chalky (17) came and went in the interim. Unfortunately for the hosts, Johnny didn’t take the MM’s advice that running out a Marshall on debut guarantees you a game for the next ten years, as after Johnny fell Tom and Jog added the final flourish before the declaration – 243/6 from 45 overs.

After a strong tea showing (thanks again to mum and dad for making the sarnies) the hosts made their way to the middle to begin their response with the bat. Unfortunately, as has frequently happened for Beaconsfield sides this summer, early wickets fell. Swappy made the first break through to remove the opener, whilst Jello took the second in just the fifth over. At this stage, Beaconsfield’s overseas came to the crease and settled proceedings down, before losing two partners in quick succession to Angus Maloney, who kept the stumps in play the entire time with a probing spell. As the required rate for the hosts increased, with a maximum of 36 overs available to chase, Jog came into the attack. Whilst there was a brief onslaught from Beaconsfield’s lower order, Jog was at the centre of two of the more impressive incidents of the day. Firstly, latching onto a rare loose ball from Angus, the Beaconsfield number 7 launched a high ball towards cow corner where Jog was expectantly waiting to take a catch to end the over. Unfortunately for Jog, the ground at Beaconsfield is currently very hard, so rather than the ball bouncing five yards short of him and going to hand, the ball instead rocketed up over him for a one bounce four and down towards the nets on the other ground. As the assembled players relished in Jog’s misfortune, Miles put the final nail in the coffin by declaring ‘That is over. Literally.’ Unfortunately for the author, Jog quickly put this behind him and responded by taking a sharp one handed caught and bowled to remove Gorts. The young remnants of the Beaconsfield side were unable to see out the remaining overs, and the Frogs ended up deserved winners by 49 runs.

Thank you as always to Miles and Dunc for standing for the day and Swappy for taking on the captaincy on the day – though I fear Jog may need therapy/GT after being asked to bowl from the A40 end resulting in figures of 2/88 from seven overs. All in all, a great day out and some excellent cricket played by both sides.

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Frogs Oxford Mini Tour

Frogs vs Oxford Downs CC

Sunday 8th June

Oxford Downs CC, Standlake

Frogs win by 6 wickets.

Reported by Kieran Grey

The Frogs, having travelled from as far away as Birmingham for this game, all but one arrived just in time for the start of play to hear that we had won the toss and decided to bowl on what looked an interesting deck at Oxford Downs CC. The only person not to arrive on time was the current Oxford Uni Authentics opening bowler. Even so, the Frogs took to the field with 10 men and set about things perfectly, with Jacques Wessels (1-26) picking up a wicket just 3 balls into the game to leave the opposition 0-1 after the first over.

A great second-wicket partnership, however, then took Downs to 91-1 off 20 overs at drinks. As drinks so often does, it brought about a chance to break the partnership—which was taken—and then quickly changed the game in favour of the Frogs, helped also by the arrival of our 11th man, William Marriage. Jack Stanier took 2 in 2 balls to quickly put the Frogs back into the game, as Downs were left at 91-3 after 21 overs.

Once the Downs opener reached 50, he gladly chipped one up off the bowling of Alex Gorton, and the Frogs’ spinners once again began to wreak havoc—reducing Oxford Downs to 134-6 off 32 overs through some excellent bowling by Alex Gorton, Angus Maloney (1-58), and Jack Stanier. Now looking at the Oxford Downs tail, we decided to see if we could get to tea a bit earlier and try and chase on what was not an easy pitch to bat on, with the introduction of William Marriage.

The combination of Marriage (1-15) and Gorton seemed to work very effectively, as the Frogs managed to clean up the remaining batsmen, leaving Downs at 187 all out off 43 overs.

Notable bowling figures: A. Gorton 4-24, J. Stanier 2-30.

In reply with the bat, the Frogs started off very well, reaching 60 for the first wicket at drinks, with T. Pascal being removed at gully for 27. This brought B. Howard to the crease, who—along with R. Lawrence—knocked the ball around without providing a chance for the next 10 overs, putting the Frogs within touching distance of the win. B. Howard was eventually removed for a well-made 35, trying to finish the game with overs to spare, leaving the Frogs 148-3 off 29 overs.

K. Grey (6) and J. Wessels (3) quickly came and went, leaving the Frogs 169-4 with just 19 required off 4 overs. R. Lawrence (86*) and A. Gorton (6*) managed to guide the Frogs comfortably home with an over to spare, culminating in a great chase on a difficult pitch—led by a brilliant knock from R. Lawrence, who batted with great intent after the drinks break.

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Frogs vs Oxford University Authentics

The Parks

Monday/Tuesday 8/9th June

Reported by AI & Tom Marshall

Frogs Lose by 47 runs.

Match Summary:

Innings 1️⃣ – Oxford University Authentics

228/9 dec. (56 overs)

• Fitzpatrick 2-17, Allen 2-14, Hamilton 2-10, Gorton 1-30, McLeod 1-36, O Marshall 1-45. O Marshall 3 slip catches.

Innings 2️⃣ – The Frogs CC

214/9 (50 overs)

• L. Fitzpatrick – 54 (70), T. McLeod – 49 (74), Gorton 48* (63)
• Match stayed even as Frogs battled hard with solid top-order resistance.
• Lead for Oxford: 14 runs

Innings 3️⃣ – Oxford University Authentics

216/7 dec. (40.2 overs)

• McLeod 3-46, Allen 2-52, O Marshall 1-43.
• Oxford accelerated well to set a competitive final-innings target.
• Target set: 231 to win in 40 overs

Innings 4️⃣ – The Frogs CC

183 all out (40 overs)

• T. Marshall – 44 (72), T. Shaw – 33 (51), O Marshall 28 (29), McLeod 24 (34)
• Will Marriage – 5/51 (13 overs)
• Frogs started solidly but collapsed after the top order fell. Marriage tore through the middle and lower order to seal a 47-run win for Oxford.

Oxford University Authentics batted first after The Frogs won the toss and chose to field. The Authentics declared at 228 for 9 after 56 overs. The Frogs replied with 214 for 9 in 50 overs. In Oxford’s second innings, they reached 216 for 7 declared in 40.2 overs, leaving The Frogs needing 231 in 46 overs. The Frogs were eventually dismissed for 183, falling short by 47 runs.

Thanks to AI for the brief summary above. Now the Tour Manager will provide a full briefing below:

Over the winter months Tom McLeod and Kieran Grey were appointed as trainee Tour Managers for the Oxford Tour, or rather Assistants to the Tour Manager (T Marshall). They did a fine job in ensuring everyone had somewhere to stay and making sure nobody strayed out of line during their time in Oxford.

After some liquid refreshments in Oxford town centre during Sunday night, the Frogs convened on the Parks in excitement. TMac won the toss on a fresh wicket and elected to bowl. At his disposal were the following:

McLeod, Grey, Thomas (WK), T Marshall, O Marshall, Fitzpatrick, Allen, Hamilton, Wessels, Noble, Shaw, Gorton, and the vastly experienced Lawrence.

Hamilton and Wessels bowled well during the first hour, with Jimmy grabbing a couple of early wickets. 50s from batters 3 and 4 made the Frogs graft hard, before TMac took a nice caught to break a partnership of close to 150. Wickets then began to tumble, 2 to Allen, Fitzpatrick, 1 to O Marshall and Gorton. The Tics declared an hour before tea with the score 228 on a pretty flat wicket.

Shaw and Hamilton opened the innings for the frogs, both heading back to the pavilion without scoring. McLeod and Fitzpatrick then batted through to the break, with Liam passing 50 for the first time this summer before being removed with the score 100. Jacques then followed without scoring, bringing together the two Assistants to the Tour Manager, who were able to put on 47 before TMac chipped to forward square leg the ball after turning down a 3rd run to bring up his 50. The cricket gods clearly unhappy with his laziness. A brittle lower middle order of Noble and O Marshall departed just before close, with Rich using every ounce of his experience to shepherd the Frogs to close on day 1.

A lively evening followed, with the Frogs dining with some of the Tics at Vincent’s Club in Oxford. A lovely dinner was had, and a couple of the famous Pinkies consumed. The Frogs then went onto the next pub, and the next. With AT and Tour Manager having to undress and put TMac to be due to his inebriated state. The less said about that the better.

Annoying the Frogs were then reduced to 169-9 early on Tuesday morning, with Rich dismissed for 3. Gorts and T Marshall then came together, with some heavy heads from the previous evening’s frivolities. Despite their ailments they were able to take the Frogs from 169-9 to 214-9, muchly thanks to some lusty blows from Gorts. A declaration followed with Gorts not being able to take advantage of 10 dot balls to get him to 50, leaving him on 48*.

Oxford then batted for 40 overs, scoring 216-7. Nothing of any comedic value happened in the field, but TMac took 3 wickets, GT 2, and Owen 1. This left the Frogs a chase of 230 in 46 overs, which didn’t start well after Rich was dismissed for 0 by Marriage. Tom Shaw and Marshall put on 50 for the second wicket before Shaw got a wormburner to hit his off stump. TMac and Marshall T also put on 50 before Marshall chipped to midwicket. From here it was all downhill for the Frogs, who opted for the aggressive route to 230. TMac struggled his way to 24 amid some alcohol poisoning, coupled with some very defensive fields from the Tics. O Marshall got the only other score of note, with a run a ball 28, before reverse scooping onto his own stumps (obviously). Will Marriage’s excellent 5 wicket haul was complete with the Frogs eventually 183 all out, 47 short of their target. A disappointing end to an excellent couple of days in Oxford.

Our thanks go to the Tic’s for hosting us again, Duncan and Chris for umpiring for us, Carol for scoring for us, Vincent’s Club for having us for dinner, and to TMac and (mostly) KG for organising. We look forward to returning next summer.

https://oucc.play-cricket.com/website/results/6866342 

Tour Party: Marshall T, Grey, McLeod, Marshall O, Allen, Thomas,  Fitzpatrick, Gorton, Hamilton, Wessells, Noble, Shaw, Lawrence, Ellis D, Hardy, Quinn.

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Frogs vs Uppingham Rovers

Sunday 25th May

Uppingham School

Frogs lose by 2 wickets.

Reported by Dylan Jones

Frogs’ CC 280 for 6 from 50 overs

Uppingham Rovers CC 281 for 8 from 48.1 overs.

“…And so to “The Upper” - one of the great cradles of Victorian cricket…

The Uppingham School Old Boys’ Cricket Club, The Rovers, was founded in 1863 (just a year after the first of all such sides, the Eton Ramblers), and were a happy expression of a new explosion of cricketing activity among the leisured classes.

Uppingham's Headmaster, the Rev Edward Thring, was, along with Dr Arnold of Rugby, the most influential educational reformer of the 19th century. He had been utterly miserable as a schoolboy at Eton (Arnold had been equally unhappy at Winchester), and set out on a rigorous programme to replace fighting, ratting and the tormenting of younger boys as the main leisure pastimes of the boys in his charge…along with whole fresh curricula of music and science, he built a gymnasium - the first at an English school, complete with a German PE Master, no doubt equipped with elastic braces, brilliantined hair and impressive moustaches.

Thring will also have sent gasps running through Victorian drawing rooms with his ground-breaking appointment in 1872 of “HH” Stephenson as school professional cricket coach. “HH” had led England’s first tour to Australia in the 1860s, and he quickly established Uppingham as a powerhouse of cricket - the Rovers lost only 11 of 191 matches (many of those against county sides) between 1879 and 1906. In 1877 fully five of the Cambridge Varsity match XI were Rovers, skippered by AP “Bunny” Lucas - himself, of course, a Rover.

The Great War alas took a ghastly toll of Rovers - Uppingham was one of a small number of public schools which endured more war deaths (447 in its case) than their entire school population in 1914.

Wandering cricket never fully recovered, but the Rovers do include a couple of other “notables” - the much-admired broadcaster “Aggers”, and the 1920s England captain, APF “Percy” Chapman, who (likely by amiable accident) wore his black, white, cerise and royal blue Rovers’ blazer for an Ashes Test toss, predating by a decade Douglas Jardine’s (more calculated, one guesses?) use of an OU Harlequins cap to aggravate the Aussies…both prevailed in their series!

Over the years, many Rovers have also been Frogs - “The First Fifty Years” putting Uppingham in the top six of Frogs’ “nurseries”, and our most recent recruit is William Marriage, an Authentics pace bowler looking to bag his Dark Blue next summer…

It was thus entirely fitting that a 162 year omission in the Rovers’ history, and a 122 year gap in Frogs’ encounters, should be filled with this game - and what a grand match it was!

With Frogs arriving sporadically on this new “Northern Tour”, Jogger wisely elected to bat. TP promised early, but fell for just 16 - only for Sarge to hit a rich vein of form, punishing the Rovers for 114 from 112 balls from front and back foot, and enjoying a bountiful partnership of 190 with Jacques (106 from 124), our Bray-based southern hemispherian.

Shortly after notching his ton, Sarge retired for some delicious lasagna which the kind caterer had kept warm for him, only to watch a rather shambolic middle order “procession”. At one stage 300 had looked well within the 50 over scope, but in the end, the Frogs posted 280 - still a handy total - and as Cookie, Vaughnie, Goochie and all the others would drone on, “runs on the board, etc., etc.”

The Rovers’ response began sedately, Walshy landing his dibbly-dobblers with the accuracy of Ukrainian drones, and Marriage bustling in to jovial jeers from his erstwhile schoolmates. Opener “Rookie” Rook hit a steady 68, and Tom Kennedy a pugnacious 63 from 50.

At the halfway point, however, going at just four an over, the Rovers needed an injection of force and confidence, and it arrived in the peroxided form of young “Macca”, more formally known as Alexander MacDonald of Sleat, whose grandfather, Sir Ian Godfrey Bosville MacDonald of Sleat, is the current 17th baronet, and the 25th clan chieftain.

His 61 from just 49 arrived as our older fielding element increasingly began to resemble a gathering of granddads and great uncles (and indeed great aunts) roped in to field in a family beach cricket friendly. Cries of “Buzzers!” emanated regularly from the watching Rovers, as the Frogs moved from ragged to tatterdemalion, and by the time half a dozen overs remained, the clever bitcoins were firmly on the home side.

“Macca” saw the Rovers home with 11 balls to spare, and cricket was the big winner - 561 runs, excellent lunch and tea in a grand thatched pavilion, a drop of vice presidential port, and a 122 year fixture absence aberration corrected! Huzzah!!

Frogs: T Pascal, A Sergeant, J Wessels, D Brown, A Thomas, J O’Gorman (capt), S Walsh, A Marshall, T Allen, A Maloney*, W Marriage*

* Denotes Rovers