Reports & Scorecards 2020

Frogs vs Amersham CC

Venue: Shardeloes

Date: 9th August

Result: Frogs win by 41 runs.

Reporting: Chris Lawton

Scorecard

Frogs 235-7 (40) - T Pascal 89

Amersham 195 - T Marshall 5-20

The Frogs emerged from their respective isolation bubbles on a scorching hot day to play Amersham at the very beautiful Shardeloes ground. Early drama was created by a trio of forgetful Frogs, Tom Marshall forgetting his white batting pads, Tom Allen failing to bring the flag, ball, and scoresheet, and Duncan Ellis forgetting his whites. A longer than expected journey home for Duncan to retrieve them meant that if Frogs had to field first they would do so in 35 degree heat with 10 men and no wicket keeper! Fortunately, when joint-skipper Chris Lawton went out to do the toss, he incredibly managed to win, and made the easiest choice in the world and elected to have a bat.

Thierry Pascal strode out to bat with Richard Lawrence, with the memory of his last two innings ending in a golden duck, but played well with shots all around the wicket including a majestic straight 6 into the corn-field next door. Richard patiently accumulated runs at the other end, and the 100 partnership arrived in the 16^th over, with Thierry on 60, Ridders 19, and extras 21. Lawrence was eventually dismissed with the score on 106, and Thierry shortly after was adjudged caught behind for 89. The Frogs middle order continued the momentum with useful cameos from Tom Marshall (26), joint-captain Andrew Lawton (33) and Simon Slabbert (15) which meant that by the end of their allocated 40 overs Frogs had amassed 235-7. A good total, but with a quick outfield it would need to be a good bowling performance to defend.

With the new COVID playing regulations being strictly enforced by the umpires, Frogs had to get used to getting the ball back to the bowler as quickly as possibly without being passed around the field. As inventive as ever, the Frogs used this opportunity to create a new game – “bowling marker bowls”. The rules were simple, after fielding, simply roll the ball back and try to get it as close to the bowling marker as possible. A game which had an added challenge due to the slope on the Amersham field, although Ridders soon proved himself a master of this particular game with some very accurate throws.

Tom Marshall and Kieran Grey opened the bowling, and Amersham’s innings started solidly, reaching 29-0 by the end of the sixth over. But then Tom Marshall struck, with a fine spell of fast bowling. Ball one of his 4^th over, a short wide long hop, was chipped gently to the safe hands of Joe O’Gorman at point, the third ball was hit straight to the less-safe hands of Posh at mid wicket who held on at the second attempt, and the fifth ball edged to Thierry at 2^nd slip who made no mistake with the grab. In Tom’s subsequent over he struck again, a great slip catch taken by his father low down at first slip, and then comprehensively bowling the Amersham number 6 batsman, to claim his own 5fer and reduce Amersham to 31-5 at the end of the 9^th over.

Amersham had a strong side with batting all the way down, so it was no surprise that they began to rebuild after the early shock, against a Frogs attack which had by then switched to slow bowling at both ends, Andy Marshall and Joe O’Gorman bowling in tandem. The sixth and seventh wicket fell to Malc’s wily bowling, the second of which was a very good catch by his son at long on, and the Frogs were starting to wonder whether anyone without the surname “Marshall” would be able to feature on the scoresheet today. Soon though, Tom Allen was introduced into the attack and cleaned up the final 3 wickets, including the opener McKechnie who had compiled a patient 50 whilst watching carnage unfold at the other end. Amersham were all out for 195, 41 runs short of their target, in the final over of the match.

A really impressive performance by the Frogs against a very strong Amersham side, thanks to all those that played and those that came to support.

Frogs: C Lawton (C), A Lawton, T Pascal, T Marshall, A Marshall, J O'Gorman, T Allen, K Grey, S Slabbert, D Ellis, R Lawrence.

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Frogs vs Harefield CC

Venue: Harefield CC

Date: 2nd August

Result: Frogs lose by 2 wickets.

Reporting: Matthew Ogden

Scorecard

Frogs 231-6 - Grey 67, Ogden 62*

Harefield 232-8 - A Marshall 3-26

A beautiful afternoon at Harefield Cricket Club rather surprisingly played host to the Frogs’ first cricket game of the 2020 season After the hastily arranged inaugural fixture the previous year played out on the Harefield second pitch, the Frogs were excited to get the season under way at the Woods Cricket Ground. The Frogs were aided by the closed season transfer of Harefield’s captain from the 2019 fixture to captain the Frogs this year instead. Additionally, new Harefield recruit, Tom Marshall, lined up against his new team. 

The Frogs would unsurprisingly win the toss and subsequently batted first. Insider knowledge about the nature of the surface, which resembled the Wankhede stadium and the Frogs possessing multiple spinners in the form of GT, AM, JOG, OM and Ogden meant that the game was set up perfectly for the Frogs to bowl second.

Unfortunately due to lockdown, the well-established winter net sessions at Hampton Court school were not able to go ahead. Thus, with Chalky understandably wanting to have some throwdowns first, a rather hungover Thomas Marshall put his hand up and offered to open the batting to prove a point against his new teammates. Tom opened up alongside Thierry, who unfortunately perished after one ball. This brought to the crease Maidenhead and Bray's star batsman, Kieran Gray. Gray dominated the partnership of 55, contributing 44(38) to Tom’s 8 (33). As Tom's Nick Comptonesque innings was brought to a close by Buckinghamshire leg-spinner, Stephen Croft, the Harefield supporters were left wondering whether the wrong Marshall had been signed. 

Thus, this brought Owen to the crease. With the controversial rumours that Owen may be seeking to follow his brother Tom to Harefield having dominated conversations throughout the Hillingdon cricketing community throughout the pandemic, Owen was rather keen to impress.  Unfortunately, Owen fell for a quack, thus the Frogs were struggling at 74-3. 

Thankfully, Frog’s legend Richard Chalk entered the field with our innings in need of stabilisation. Both Gray and Chalk ticked along nicely, not taking any unnecessary risks and putting on 38 for the fourth wicket. Kieran then fell for a well-compiled 67 with Chalk (20) falling quickly after. The innings was found to be delicately poised at 118-5. An England-style collapse was a possibility, however JOG (47) and Ogden (62*) played out a highly important, if not slightly agricultural partnership of 96 at well quicker than a run-a-ball. Thus, the Frogs were able to post 231-6 declared from 8 sanitisation breaks (48 overs), with Jono striking a wonderful boundary down the ground to conclude the innings.

 The Frog’s, having tucked into a wide variety of packed lunches, eagerly limbered up to take the field, confident at the prospect of winning the game. Jono immediately claimed an early scalp through a well taken caught and bowled. Both Trev and Jono continued to bowl well on a relatively placid pitch with little swing and a lightning outfield. Subsequently, Harefield were able to build into their innings. Thus with Harefield 70-1 after 2 sanitisation breaks, the Frogs inevitably turned to spin through Owen and JOG. Owen almost immediately removed himself from the bowling attack due to an inevitable meltdown and found solace for the rest of the day on the boundary. Despite the loss of a frontline spinner, the Frogs were able to take wickets throughout the middle period through the excellent spin bowling of Malc (3), Jog (1) and GT (1).

Harefield, however, had saved two first 11XI batsman for 7 and 8. It was in this partnership that the game was ultimately lost. With the Frogs feeling that they were only really one wicket away from the tail, a couple of chances went array and some rather poor umpiring meant that both McLoed (42) and Fosberry (60*) were able to take Harefield to a position from which they could not lose. 

It was a rather thrilling game that could have gone either way. A very enjoyable return of Frogs cricket, concluded with a few beers both in Harefield and then the Gatehouse in Northwood. Congratulations to Kieran and Jog for a very good batting display and to Malc for his figures of 8 overs 3 for 26. Harefield definitely realised that you are most definitely the Marshall they should have signed. 

Frogs: M Ogden, K Grey, T Pascal, A Marshall, J O'Gorman, T Marshall, T Allen, O Marshall, R Chalk, J Wright, N Trivedi

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Frogs vs Sussex Martlets CC

Venue: Horsham

Date: 23rd August

Result: Frogs win by 3 wickets.

Reporting: Thierry Pascal

Sussex Martlets 149-6 (40) – N.Trivedi 2-32

Frogs 153-6 (35.2) – T.Pascal 83

The Frogs rolled into a gloomy Horsham with weather on the mind, with rain showers expected throughout the day. The captain, Thierry Pascal, on losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on what looked like a good flat pitch, was slightly concerned to find that his opening bowling partnership were nowhere to be found. However, on the dot of 1pm, with a 45 over per side match agreed, the Frogs set out to take on a Sussex Martlets side that looked a little light on quality. Tom Marshall and Neerav Trevedi opened the attack with a good line and length, giving very little away, and were rewarded with early wickets, one opener shouldering arms to a TMarsh off-cutter to be plum LBW, and then Big Trev enticing their No.3 to slice a catch to gully, where Marc Williams moved smartly to his right to take a good catch. The Martlets opener and skipper looked like he could bat, but just as the first rain break was arriving, he was beaten by a Trevedi quicker ball and became another LBW victim. As the Frogs gathered under any cover possible, mostly their cars, they could be happy with their work, with the Martlets on 32-3 after 11 overs. After a 10 minute break, the rain ceased, covers were removed (more on that later!), and the Frogs returned to battle, just slightly delayed by Joe O’Gorman waiting on his sugar and cinnamon crepe from the pitch-side Creperie that surely should be a regular site at all Frogs matches. Crepe firmly placed in his back pocket, the Frogs turned to first change bowler, Matt Ogden replacement Owen Marshall. His second ball was driven firmly back, where Owen calmly diverted the ball onto the stumps, leaving the Martlets no.5 run out without scoring. This was shortly followed by a second rain break, this time with no covers, as the groundsman had decided that he was surplus to requirements and had left the ground. In spite of the tractor and covers being tantalizingly left with keys in, nobody was brave enough to take the responsibility, and the rain continued to dampen the pitch. “Bloody health and safety – in my day we would have just got on with it” the attending President was surely whispering under his breath whilst celebrating his 80^th birthday. As the game finally resumed 20 minutes later, with a reduced 40 over game announced, the Frogs discovered that they were a man short. It was that man O’Gorman again missing. Having checked that he was not revisiting the Creperie, the game resume whilst scouts were sent out. As the over progressed, O’Gorman was sheepishly seen approaching the boundary edge – it later being discovered that he was in his car watching the Test Match and encouraging the rest of the team via WhatsApp to gather in the pavilion as “Jof’s on and just hit 90mph!” Owen was joined by Andrew Lawton (aka Sam Curran) and he continued to keep the run rate below 3 an over. Whilst there were no further wickets for the next 26 overs, the Martlets batsmen could not accelerate beyond 4 runs an over as Owen, Lawton (in 3 spells) and Andrew Marshall all kept things tight, with a combination of good fielding and lack of intensity from the batsmen contributing. They put on 100 runs over those 26 overs – not good enough really. There were two late wickets for Lawton and Andrew Marshall, both to catches in the deep from Trevedi and Owen Marshall, much to his amusement as he had been trying to run out the No.6 batsman from the boundary edge for the last couple of overs. As the rain come down again, the Frogs rushed off for the tea break and various packed lunches satisfied with their work! Great bowling figures all around with Tom Marshall a stand-out 8-3-12-1. Some other minor moments of comedy included Richard Chalk having to leave the field after one ball of the innings due to a finger injury, Duncan Ellis having an over when he appealed (singularly!) for every ball with no success, and Trev slipping when a catch was coming straight to him!

The Frogs opened up with Pascal and Tom Marshall and were greeted with the sort of slow paced seamers that Darren Stevens has driven many a batsman mad with over the last 20 years! With no pace on the ball, it required the batsman to be more aggressive than normal to keep runs ticking over. This seemed beyond Marshall, who frustratingly chipped a ball to silly mid-on. Pascal saw this as an opportunity to open up, and started to expand his shots mostly through the cover point area with drives and cuts. Lawton kept him good company as they added 64 runs at just under 4 an over, before Marc Williams joined up for a 90’s/early 2000’s reunion. By the time Pascal was out (probably due to being deprived his bottle of Badoit!), he had scored 83 out of the 118 run on the board, and it was left to the middle order to finish the job, which they did with a little difficulty - Williams, O’Gorman (playing as a batsman) and Owen Marshall getting out cheaply. It was left to Trevedi and Chalk to get us over the line with 5 overs to spare. A good job done by the Frogs in front of the visiting President.

Frogs: T Pascal (c), T Marshall, A Lawton, M Williams, J O’Gorman, O Marshall, N Trevedi, R Chalk, J McCarthy, D Ellis, A Marshall.

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Frogs vs South Oxfordshire Amateurs

Venue: Oxford Downs CC

Date: 17th August

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

Reporting: Matthew Ogden

Frogs 252-4 - T Marshall 103, O Marshall 60.

SOA 9-0 

The Tadpoles arrived in rural Oxfordshire wet, late and full of confidence after a victory in Bray the day before. Rain ensured that the late arrival of a rather hungover captain was not noticed as the tee off time was pushed back a good half an hour to account for the aforementioned. Thus, a toss beckoned, at which the SOA captained proposed a format of two twenty 20s to get at least one game in. Despite the Frogs possessing 9 out of 12 players under the age of 24, a lack of enthusiasm meant that this was rejected out of hand, and a 40 over game began. 

The pitch, as usual at Oxford Downs, was a very good one, and the SOA captain rather kindly sent us in to bat. Tom McLeod opened in only his second Frogs game alongside Tom Marshall. T’mac fell for a agricultural and unnecessarily aggressive 20, with a few glorious boundaries also coming alongside a couple of dropped catches. This undoubtedly set the tone in the field for SOA, as Tom Marshall was dropped at least 2/3 times in the innings that followed. 

Thus, Owen Marshall arrived at the crease. This set the wheels in motion for a Marshall family record partnership. As they slowly built a partnership against some useful opposition bowling, the Frogs were building a rather promising platform. However, in this new era of aggressive 40 over cricket, playing an attacking brand, when the pitches allow it, is paramount to building an imposing first innings lead. 

With the Frogs slightly behind the run rate, some words of encouragement (get the **** on with it) from the captain, provided the impetus for the Marshall’s to accelerate through the gears. Some excellent batting either side of a short run delay saw a plethora of shots, from reverse sweeps, to paddle scoops, to slog sweeps. As Tom manipulated the ball around magnificently, he reached his 100 from 109 balls (his record strike rate). 

Tom then fell, which left Ogden to come to crease. Despite there only being 6 overs left and Owen sitting on 60, he decided to beg the captain to let him try to get his first ever 100. The captain, self-identifying as a realist, understood the improbability of such an outcome and decided to biff it about to get us up to a competitive total. Owen then proceeded to throw an Owen and ran past one, before storming off telling everyone how selfish the captain was. You got 60 off 80 deliveries champ . 

The innings then concluded with the Frogs scoring a mighty 252-4 from the allotted 40 overs. Despite Michael Fish assuring us at the toss that the weather was likely to stay fair for the rest of the day, the rains then came. Although the Frogs protested with the umpires that the water was indeed our natural habitat, and that we should get the game on, a desire for them not to get ‘sued’ meant that we could not get underway until 5:45, with the Frogs defending 195 from 25 overs. 

However, with only a couple of overs bowled, one by promising Tadpole Jack, a monsoon came, resulting in the game being abandoned. A few pints then flowed, before we indulged in a post-match feed at Beaconsfield Mcdonalds courtesy of our esteemed chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Frogs: M Ogden, T Marshall, O Marshall, T McLeod, J Fosberry, R Chalk, J Hamilton, J Ellis, T Allen, K Grey, D Ellis.

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Frogs vs Maidenhead and Bray CC

Venue: Bray

Date: 16th August

Result: Frogs win by 2 wickets.

Reporting: Tom Wilding

The frogs arrived at Maidenhead and Bray with the forecast wet to soggy having had a week of solid moistness creating a track which not one of the XI + team coach/manager/mascot/cheerleader Malc had anything sensible to say about as to what to do. Skipper Wilding therefore was left to hope that the toss fell the right way, it did, the Frogs lost the toss and first blood in the mind game stakes as M&B skipper Armstrong had no idea what to do either. Following a lengthy meeting M&B made the collective decision to bat much to the confused wisdom of the Frogs.

The Frogs opened up with T Marshall and leader of the cartel Jono Wright. Both bowled with skill and patience, not giving any width to the M&B openers. The breakthrough however came via a run out from Big Trev through means your correspondent cannot even begin to do justice to. The ball went no further than the standing umpire, was in the air for a considerable period of time, involved an extravagant dive tumble from Trev who missed the ball first time before then knocking the stumps down. The hapless M&B batsman left well short of his ground. Wright removed the other opener, with TMars getting the dangerous Thomas to leave Bray faltering n 25/4. All the bowlers then got stuck in to the home side, the only real defiance coming from Frog Kieran Grey who constructed a very fine 80. The spinners controlling the game with Alex Gorton the pick taking a fine 4/26. M&B bowled out for an under par 133.

Tea was consumed at appropriate social distancing as skipper Wilding went in search for 2 victims volunteers to open the batting and some careful studying of the met office rain graphs.

After much howling and chuntering Andy Lawton agreed and his fine 46 anchored the frogs innings. Ably assisted by TMars (21) and Matt Ogden (32) the Frogs, the Frogs passed the 100 wit the loss of 4 wickets, however a late flurry of action saw the frogs reduced to 123/6, ad then 130/8. The spin twins of A Gorton and T Allen however brought the Frogs home in the evening sunshine. 

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Frogs vs Knebworth Park CC

Venue: Knebworth Park

Date: 6th August

Result: Frogs lose by 3 wickets.

Reporting: Tom Marshall

Frogs 167-7 (40) – Pascal 65, Lawrence 28.

Knebworth Park 169-7 (37.3) – A Marshall 3-39, Trivedi 2-36

The Frogs arrived at Knebworth Park to find a flat wicket and a lightening fast outfield. The skipper, Allen was running late and arrived just after the toss was done. T Marshall, the specialist toss-er, who has been described by many as one, won the toss and elected to bat. A 40 over game was then agreed by the real captains, followed by Pascal and Lawrence striding out to bat.

The Frogs got off to a good start, with Pascal and Lawrence putting 77 on for the first wicket. Lawrence eventually fell for 28 from 58 balls, which brought T Marshall to the crease. He struggled to hit the gaps before being run out by a direct hit for 4. Pascal kept the pace up during this time with a series of boundaries that brought up his 50. Ignoring the first game of the season where Thierry was dismissed for the first ball of his innings, he has been in fine form, scoring a number of 50s in his first proper season back playing regular cricket. However, he has eventually dismissed for 65 (76), caught by a young fielder at long on off the bowling of KPCC’s female member of their side. The Frogs began a late assault with Lawton coming to the wicket and scoring a measured 20* with Grey (19), Van Nigerk (8) and J Ellis (8*) all batting nicely around him. A special mention to Neerav Trivedi, who stated that he would bat at 8 in every team (including the national side). Neerav registered his second first ball duck in a row. Skipper Allen and A Marshall were not required as the Frogs finished their innings at 167-7. This was probably slightly under par, however stranger things have happened whilst the Frogs have been in the field recently, and Allen’s men were purring.

Trivedi and J Ellis opened the bowling for the Frogs without much luck. Jack only bowled one over after injuring what he described as most of his body. He was instructed to focus on his fielding instead. Lawton replaced Ellis at the pavilion end and nipped out one of the opening batsmen, caught at first slip by A Marshall. This catch is what would be described as magnificent or mind-blowing, however many of the Frogs would have arged that it was a fluke. With the keeper stood up to the stumps, the outside edge flew past the right shoulder of the keeper Grey, with Marshall diving to his left and taking a superb one-handed catch. This was to appear to be somewhat miraculous, as Marshall then shelled two catches at first slip, both of which could be described as regulation. These were just two of the five catches that the Frogs put down throughout the day. After this, KPCC’s opening batsman, and Frog, Sargeant opened up his arms and brought up his 50. He eventually fell for a fine 72, with the score 127-2. What followed was a mini collapse, with both Marshall’s bowling in tandem. T Marshall bowled his 8 overs straight through, 8-5-8-1, and A Marshall 9-0-39-3. This took KPCC from 120-2 to 151-6. Strangely, with the umpires being more concerned with the scoreboard being up to date in what would be a certain run chase, they failed to realise that Marshall Senior had bowled an extra over than what he should have. Comments were made that the umpires should’ve been more worried about what was going on, on the pitch, rather than what was happening off the pitch. Trivedi made a swift return towards the end of the innings and picked up a cheap wicket in what was to be nothing more than a consolation. KPCC reached the target 7 down in the 37^th over in what turned out to be a comfortable chase. The Frogs will return next season in the hope of a better batting performance from their middle order.

Thanks to all those who made themselves available to play, and to Carol who unselfishly gave up her time to score for us.

Frogs – Allen, T Marshall, A Marshall, Pascal, Lawrence, Grey, Van Nigerk, Ellis, Trivedi, C Lawton, Chalk. 

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Frogs vs Gloucester Gypsies

Venue: Stowell Park

Date: 13th August

Result: Frogs lost by 5 wickets.

Reporting: Tom Marshall

Frogs 227-8 (45) – D Lawrence 56, McLeod 46.

Gypsies 231-5 (41.3 overs) – Croft 2-55.

A rather fragile Frogs side, once they found a way in, arrived in the late morning at Stowell Park. Fragile from the night before when many Frogs celebrated the end of their club seasons, the Frogs won the toss and elected to bat in a 45 over match.

Pascal and Lawrence opening the innings, just as they did the prior weekend at Knebworth. Unfortunately for the Frogs they didn’t put on as many as the previous week, with the first wicket falling at 31; Pascal falling for 22. This brought D Lawrence to the crease, who looked as if he was batting on a differente wicket. His brother, Richard, looked as if he was batting on a typically slow and low Stowell Park wicket. However, David batted as if he was batting on the surface at the Oval, hitting balls cleanly through the off side with shots that Rich (and the rest of the Frogs batting line up) could only dream of being able to play.  Rich eventually exited the crease for 8, which brought the Frog in the worst condition (Ogden) to the crease. Ogden and D Lawrence put on 45 for the next wicket, with Ogden departing for 25. Lawrence went to 50 in the meantime with some more lovely strokes through the offside off the Gypsies leg spinner. McLeod entered the fray and joined in with some of the spectacular shots being played. He went onto make 46, which included his 2^nd and 3^rd ever sixes. This took the Frogs to 166-4. D Lawrence fell shortly after for a well made 56. T Marshall (29) and tadpole Harrison (28) then put on 53 for the 6^th wicket with some agricultural shots. Unfortunately, debutant Pyman registered his first Frogs duck in his first innings for the club. Skipper O Marshall and debutant Croft saw the Frogs through the final over. 227-8 from 45.

The Frogs had an interesting start to their bowling innings. T Marshall bowled tightly from one end, not giving many runs away, whilst Big Trev struggled bowling up the hill and into the wind. Trev’s second over lasted 12 balls, including three wides and three no balls, and was removed from the attack after the first ball of his 4^th over for a second head high no ball. At the other end T Marshall made the breakthrough with the score 57. Pyman replaced Marshall, with Ogden bowling from the pavilion end. Wickets were hard to come by on a flat wicket, with the Gypsies 95-3 from 19 overs at drinks. A maiden Frogs wicket for Pyman was the highlight of the first half. The Frogs’ spinners were never consistent enough, with boundary balls being bowled on an overly basis. Ogden finished with 11 overs for 55, and best friend Croft finishing with 2-55 from 9.2 on debut. Skipper O Marshall bowled 3 overs for 20, but the Frogs struggled to protect the short boundary as the Gypsies chased down the Frogs’ score for the loss of 5 wickets. Unfortunately, a couple of dropped catches cost the Frogs, just as they did the previous week at Knebworth. Catching practice is on the agenda for the Frogs winter nets.

The Frogs thank everyone who made themselves available to play, including our scorers and the Gypsies for hosting us. Furthermore, we would like to thank debutants Harrison, Pyman and Croft, and invite them to play again for the Frogs.

Frogs – O Marshall, T Marshall, Pascal, R Lawrence, D Lawrence, Ogden, Croft, Harrison, Pyman, Trivedi, McLeod.

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Frogs vs Hampshire Hogs

Venue: Warnford

Date: 20th August

Result: Frogs win by 5 wickets.

Reporting: Richard Chalk

Scorecard

Hampshire Hogs: 194-6 declared.  J. Hamilton 2-48

Frogs 198-5:  Dan Molloy 78, Owen Marshall 48*

In this, the most topsy-turvy of seasons, it was very satisfying to have been able to rearrange our annual trip down to Warnford. Although much later in the season than is usual, AND on a Saturday, this proved especially challenging given the late decision of many leagues to extend their seasons into the back end of September. The Frogs’ captain elect thus fell as a casualty to these last-minute changes, yet a full and experienced Frogs eleven was able arrive at the Hogs’ ground carrying, as usual, high hope and a selection of self-induced injuries, in roughly equal proportions.

Taking over the captain’s armband, Ridders proceeded to lose the toss and, as is their wont, the Hogs characteristically chose to bat first.

With the ever-green Ravi operating from the top end, and the much younger ‘Jimmy’ Hamilton charging in from the bottom end, so the Hogs innings got off to a stuttering start. Calling on all his years of experience and guile, Ravi made the most of his ‘downhill’ advantage, as indeed did ‘Jimmy’ charging in from the bottom end. Both openers restricting the opposition to precious few runs in the initial dozen overs. Having been moving it both ways, (or so he said!), the first breakthrough came with Ravi deceiving the Hogs’ opener by castling him with his ‘faster one that nipped back’. The skipper’s reward was to then rest him, in case of further need later on in the Hogs’ innings, and to switch ‘Jimmy’ to the top (downhill) end. Four overs later, this proved inspired, as ‘Jimmy’ managed to remove two further Hogs’ batsmen. It also introduced Owen into the attack, who proved equally miserly, also managing to induce a chip to midwicket to take the Hogs to four wickets down. Still further bowling changes from the skipper saw GT start twiddling from the bottom end to great effect, removing the Hogs’ number six for a duck, and the redoubtable Poshy purveying his miserly military medium from the top end, both conceding precious few runs in the next seven or eight overs. So the Frogs arrived at the lunch break, very satisfied with the score at 87-5.

Perhaps due to the contents of the various lunch-boxes, or more probably the excesses of the night before, the session after lunch took on a quite different hue! The Frogs had forgotten what line and length felt like, and the fielding deteriorated alarmingly from the tight restrictive pre-lunch session. Added to which, the Hogs’ remaining opener, and the youngest of the Hogs’ Radleians, both decided that attack was the best form of defence.

Notwithstanding both Dan Molloy and Andy Marshall also entering the attack, none of the Frogs’ bowlers in the afternoon managed to curb the Hogs’ accelerated run-rate, with much chasing of leather evident! This pivotal Hogs’ partnership proceeded to post a fifty plus partnership in even time which, with the opposition skipper having his own flail toward the end of their innings, moved their score onto 194. Having whispered an over earlier that he was looking for a minimum of 200, the Hogs’ skipper then declared their innings, inviting the Frogs to better their score in what was approximately two hours, plus the last twenty overs.

Once again, mixing age and experience, the Frogs’ opening pair of Ridders and young Dan Molloy took to the field, proceeding to compile a very confident and elegant half century partnership.

The Hogs’ luck in the field got off to the worst possible start in the very first over of our reply as their opener, running after a well struck boundary, pulled up with a torn hamstring, which ended his further involvement in proceedings. Ever the gentleman, Ridders offered the Hogs’ skipper a substitute fielder whereupon, as he was closest at the time, GT found himself back fielding in the covers. ‘Jimmy’ also took a turn later in our innings, and those watching were slightly perplexed that both ‘substitutes’ seemed to have gained an extra lease of life once fielding for the opposition!!!

The Frogs’ opening partnership eventually came to an end when the skipper misjudged a straight one that “might have done a bit off the pitch”, bringing Owen to the crease. By this time, Dan was clearly seeing the ball as if it were a beachball, stroking it to all corners of the field, with some quite imperious shots. Several oooo’s and aaaaah’s emanated from his teammates, none more so than that which followed a beautifully executed cover drive for four, taking Dan to his maiden Frogs 50. Sadly all good things come to an end, and twenty minutes later, he chopped a low ball onto his stumps, returning to the clubhouse with a well-earned 78 against his name, and the Frogs in a commanding position at 123-2.

Supported by bit-part support from Marc, Tom W-J and Chalky, and with a mixture of  authentic, cavalier, and some quite audacious strokes, Owen proceeded to see the Frogs home to their target, with over five of their last twenty overs unrequired.

Once again, it proved a pleasure to be back in the Meon Valley, enjoying on this occasion some dry and generally warm September weather, with added thanks to the excellent support from Carol in the scorebox, and from a number of Frogs’ other halves, as well as the President and most of his family.

Frogs: Richard Lawrence (C), Marc Williams (Wkt), Richard Chalk, Andy Marshall, Owen Marshall, Chris Lawton, Ravi Godbole, Tom Allen, Dan Molloy, Tom Walden-Jones, James Hamilton, Carol Quinn (Scorer).

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Frogs vs Taplow

Venue: Taplow

Date: 27th August

Result: Frogs win by 140 runs.

Reporting: Jono Wright

Frogs 201-6 - Chalk 76*, A Lawton 46.

Taplow 61 - A Marshall 3-4, Trivedi 3-20

After battling through the M4 induced traffic on the A4, the Frogs and a sizeable entourage assembled at Taplow for the first time with what was an almost universally held air of relief that cricket can nearly be put to bed for 6-7 months. A wonderful setting, a ground described as “pretty” “cute” “picturesque” and “bloody windy” the Frogs had time to admire the new Poshy Mansion at the far end of the ground with building height windows offering grand views.

The toss was subsequently won and the skipper wisely decided to have a bat. A batting order was decided, negotiated, re-decided, and re-negotiated and Andy Lawton and Chalky strode out to get things going. After crashing 12 off the first over Andy’s intent was clear to all, playing each delivery on merit and looking to score at every opportunity off the bad balls. The Taplow bowlers settled into a rhythm and with Chalky happy to keep a watchful eye the run rate returned to something a touch more sedate and all on the boundary could settle in to their extra jumpers, coats and blankets and think of warmer times. The scoring rate was steady if unspectacular, with Lawton and Chalk setting a perfect platform with well taken 1s and 2s, with a healthy dose of boundaries. With Andy  nearing 50 and the threat of using his brothers B3 in replacement of his very broken sounding bat, a big heave resulted in a well taken high catch at mid-wicket to remove the younger Lawton for a well-made 45 and the Frogs 1 down for 79. T Marshall strode to the crease, and sporting his KP style ultra-wide batting stance clearly triggered something in Chalky who proceeded to start dispatching the ball to all parts as he upped his scoring rate with ease. A few useful biffs from Tom helped hurry the rate along with the pair putting on a useful 38 in 7 overs before Tom made use of an under-appreciated part of the bat (the back) to send one high to 1^st slip departing for 16. It was now Ogden’s turn at the crease, and not to be out-done by the imperious Chalk, first sauntered down the track to send a huge six over wide long-on boundary (Trev insists this would have hit the house at the other end) and then the shot of the day with a 6 over extra cover putting all in fear for their lives as the ball cannoned off the pavilion roof into the undergrowth. All the meanwhile Chalky had notched up his 50, brought up with a punch of the air, bat and helmet raised in triumph and a kiss of the Frogs badge… At 190-3 Poshy went in with the instructions of declaration coming at 212 or 41 overs. A couple of wickets later and the skipper brought the innings to a close by losing his off stump. Declaring on 201-5 from 40.4 overs, with a superb 77* off 97 balls by Chalky.

Tea was consumed, hand-warmers distributed and jumpers adorned (amid discussions of how many layers you can get on before it impacts your ability to move) and the Frogs took to the field for the last time in 2020 to set about defending our total with what was estimated to be about 40 overs.

With the memory of being no-balled out of the attack against the Gloucester Gipsies, “The Bull” took a few deliveries to get into his stride but was soon well into his work bowling a probing line and length. Ably supported by the skipper running into the wind (no hill to speak of sadly) the first 10 overs were tight with the threat of a wicket falling always looming. It came in the 11^th when Neerav’s hard work paid off and he had the opener Bassi driving and caught at mid-off by the skipper (credit must be given to the hand warmers). T Marshall replaced Jono into the wind having been accused by some (Chalky) of refusing a catch off his bowling in his final over only to bowl a tight 2 overs, unfortunate not to have a wicket held in the slips, dropped by a certain R Chalk… At the other end Neerav had picked up a head of steam, bowling a fine spell and removed the other opener and the #3 with excellent deliveries taking out middle stump on each occasion. Hungry for a first 5-fer he had to settle for figures of 8-1-20-3. With Poshy brought into the attack the captain could no longer ignore calls for fan-favourite GT to enter the fray and a steady fall of  wickets ensued, with some good catching (special mention to Trev’s effort at mid-on high over his head) and steady consistent line and lengths it was only a matter of time before the slow bowlers “spun” the Frogs to Victory, 1 run more than the confidently predicted all out for 60 by Neerav.

A fine performance with both bat and ball by the Frogs to end the season, and an energetic accurate fielding display. 3 wickets apiece for Neerav and Malc, with 2 apiece going to Poshy and GT. A fine innings by Chalky and terrific supporting roles from Andy Lawton, Matt Ogden and Tom Marshall.

Thanks all for a great day, until next season!

Frogs: J Wright (C), R Chalk, A Marshall, T Marshall, C Lawton, A Lawton, D Ellis (WK), M Ogden, R Lawrence, N Trivedi, T Allen, G Prain (Spectator), C Quinn (Scorer).