Match Reports 2026
Frogs Leading Performances 2025
Batting:
Sa Manchanda 129 vs Banstead
Donellan 75* vs OU Authentics
T Marshall 64 vs Sussex Martlets
Donellan 63 vs Oxford Downs
M Ogden 58* vs Banstead
Sa Manchanda 58 vs Oxford Downs
C Carson 58 vs Banstead
Bowling:
Sw. Manchanda 4-11 vs Banstead
Allen 3-28 vs OU Authentics
J Ellis 3-30 vs OU Authentics
Wright 3-31 vs Banstead
Child 3-35 vs Sussex Martlets
Wright 3-43 vs Sussex Martlets
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Frogs vs Banstead
Sunday 3rd May
Banstead CC
Frogs win by 195 runs
Frogs 309-5 (40) Sa. Manchanda 129, M. Ogden 58*, C. Carson 58
Banstead 114ao (23.1) Sw. Manchanda 4-11, J. Wright 3-31
The Frogs returned to Banstead for the first time since the 90s (exact year still being pinpointed!) for their 2026 season opener. The toss was negotiated and the Frogs batted first on what was a very pleasant Bank Holiday weekend Sunday.
Pascal sumptuously drove his second ball for four but was caught cover from his third trying to repeat the stroke, 4-1! Sameer Manchanda then came in to join Callum Carson and the pair set about putting on a partnership of 141. Both played excellent shots all round the wicket with the Frogs reaching the halfway stage (20 overs) at 129-1, both batters passing 50. Callum was caught on the fence for a well made 58 which brought Matt Ogden to the crease. Sameer continued in positive fashion striking a couple of excellent blows into the park for six, having skipped down the pitch to the spinner. He reached a very well deserved hundred off just 94 balls. At the other end Ogden was also proactive and included a couple of reverse sweeps in his enterprising 58*(49 balls). Sameer was a eventually dismissed for 129 – his first hundred (of which we hope will be many) for the Frogs. Alex Thomas was next man in but was dismissed for 1 which left Jack Ellis to come in and finish off the innings with a flourish, 25* (18 balls). Meaning the Frogs finished 309-5 in their allotted 40.
In the field, Banstead got off to a flier at 30-0 (2.3) until Cal stuck out a right hand at short cover to snaffle their opener with an excellent catch and the first wicket for Jono Wright. Jack Ellis shared the new ball at the other end but it was Jono who picked up the 2nd (caught Ogden at first slip) and 3rd (caught Andy Carson coming forwards at mid off) wickets. Jack then took the fourth wicket to fall, thanks to an excellent catch above his head from Jono at third slip. It was then time for the spin twins to come into action as first Tom Allen and then Swapnil Manchanda took over the bowling with the score 69-4 from 10. The Banstead batters continued to take the positive approach but three wickets in as many overs, two for Tom (both bowled) and one for Swapnil left Banstead 90-7 from 15 overs. It was then Swapnil who picked up the three final wickets as the Frogs bowled out Banstead for 114 in 23.1 overs to win by 195 runs – a great all round performance and start to the season.
A big thanks to our hosts Banstead for the game and their hospitality, we look forward to returning in 2027!
Frogs: Carson A, Carson C, Marshall T, Ogden M, Ellis J, Allen, Sa Manchanda, Sw Manchanda, Thomas, Pascal, Wright.
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Frogs vs Hampstead
Sunday 17th May
Lymington Road
Frogs win by
Reported by Joe O'Gorman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjKShHhQ_qw&t=432s
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Frogs vs Uppingham Rovers
Sunday 24th May
Uppingham School
Frogs lose by 8 wickets
Frogs 129
Rovers 130-2
On a glorious Bank Holiday Sunday, with the temperature soaring, the Frogs journeyed up to the county of Rutland, as far north as most Frogs ever venture!
In spite of some last-minute dropouts, the Frogs managed to put together a strong looking eleven. This was supplemented by three Rovers, slightly controversially clashing with their own rules of not allowing Rovers to play for the opposition. Never mind that! Having won the toss, the Frogs chose to bat for a 40 over clash.
Thierry Pascal and Adam Sargeant strode out to open the innings to face the opening attack of Prior and fellow Frog, Will Marriage. They opened with a tight line and length, and it took 15 balls before the Frogs put a run on the board. Pascal was then trapped in front by Marriage, bringing in Will Steveley, the first of the Rovers loanees. He and Sargeant started to play more positively, picking up a few boundaries on a quick outfield. The opening quicks were replaced by a couple of spinners. At 47-1, the Frogs still felt comfortable with proceedings, but with Steveley’s dismissal, it was followed by a flurry of wickets, with Sargeant bowled through the gap for 34, Steveley reverse sweeping, gloving to the keeper, Tom Marshall getting a leading edge ack to the bowler, Owen Marshall missing a big heave to leg, and Johnny Rust bowled, yorking himself. 47-1 had turned into 51-6 in the blink of an eye, and there was chaos in the pavilion as batsmen hurried to get padded up. Tom Marriage was joined by Swapil Manchada, and they at least added 12 runs trying to consolidate before Marriage as also bowled, the score 63-7. However, Syed Kaznii, on Frogs debut showed little signs of concern and played with positive intent, with Manchada joining in, as they added 60 runs in quick time. But eventually Kaznii tried one big shot too many, and was bowled for 39, giving the spinner Esse his fifth wicket. Guest Rover, Alex Sizer quickly drove to mid-off, and Manchada sliced to cover the following over for 28, leaving the Frogs bowled out for 129 in 36 overs. A huge disappointment and 100 runs short of par on a good wicket.
A long lunch followed, a terrific menu of baked pasta and fruit crumble (and custard!), washed down with Dylan Jones’ gift of two bottles of port. The Rovers then set about reaching their target as quickly as possible, with the first 2 overs being dispatched for 21 runs. Opening bowlers, both Frogs debutants, Ben Taplin and Syed Kaznii were struggling for length and anything short was meat and bread for the Rovers opening pair. Taplin then tightened the ship and bowled a couple of tight overs, inducing one opener to sky a catch to mid-on, Sargeant doing the honours. The skipper then quickly turned to spin twins Manchada and Owen Marshall to see if they could cause the same problems for the Rovers batsmen. Whilst they bowled well and troubled the batsmen at times, the Rovers were never really troubled, and apart from a great piece of bowling from Marshall to set up and then bowl the half-centurion other opening batsman, the run chase ended after 22 overs, leaving the Rovers comfortably victorious by 8 wickets.
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The Oxford Tour
Frogs vs Oxford Downs CC
Sunday 7th June
Standlake
Frogs draw
Reported by Kieran Grey
Frogs 227-6 dec - Donellan 63, Sa Manchanda 58
ODCC 180-7 - T.Allen 2-34
Frogs won the toss and chose to bat on what looked like an extremely green track after the Saturday’s downpour as we believed that we could make up for any slow over rates to create a game consisting of as many over as possible due to 5 out of the 6 bowlers being spinners.
Sameer Manchanda and T.Pascal opened up and started nicely against a seam heavy attack. With the latter falling for 6 leaving the frogs 14/1 off 5. Sameer and Ben Donnellan then batted extremely well together to put on a partnership off 113 before the fall of Ben for 63 at 127-2 off 23. Sameer followed shortly after for 58. Meaning R.Chalk came to the crease for his first outing of the season. After nicely negotiating his way around his first few deliveries, at the start of the next over he hit the ball out of the middle straight to cover didn’t call and joined K.Grey at the non strikers end where he hadn’t moved. Chalky unfortunately had to depart for 0. Grey (15-3)and Gorton(8) followed shortly after. J.Stanier and Swapnil Manchanda met at the crease at 176-6 off 36 with the challenge to get the frogs to a defendable total. The two batsmen did this and much more managing to get the frogs up to 227-6 off 43 (in 2:50) with Stanier (25*) and Swapnil (34*).
After a great tea once again the frogs went out to field with the intent of trying to bowl as many overs as possible left in the 45 minutes before the last 20 started. The new ball bowlers Walsh and Stanier set the tone early on with spells of 6-0-25-1 and 6–1-22-0 respectively. With the game still well and truly in the balance the frogs carried on with an onslaught of spin before the last 20. Managing to bowl 20 overs in the 45 minutes after tea with Gorton and Swapnil managing to take 1 wicket a piece to reduce Oxford downs to 74-3 with 20 overs remaining. After the 20 with Oxford downs looking unlikely to chase the total set after the first 20 overs. The frogs abundance of spin was shown with 2 more leg spinners entering the fray. Allen and T.O’Connor bowled excellently in tandem, respectively ending with figures 5-0-34-2 and 8-1-35-1. Stanier came back into the attack with only 4 overs remaining to try and create a result. Stanier managed to remove M.Brown (65) to leave Downs 180-7 off 39.1 with 5 balls remaining which meant the game ultimately ended in a draw. Fortunately we managed to get in a good game without any rain unlike the previous day of league cricket!
Frogs: Sa Manchanda, Sw Manchanda, Pascal, Grey, Donellan, Chalk, Stanier, Gorton, Walsh, Allen, Thomas.
Frogs vs Oxford University Authentics
Monday/Tuesday 8/9th June
University Parks
Frogs win by 7 wickets.
Reported by Tom Marshall
OU 'Tics 170 - Ellis 3-30, Allen 3-28.
Frogs 171-3 - Donellan 75*, Carson A 44.
With heavy rain being unloaded onto the Parks overnight, a delay was experienced by the tour party, which then turned into an early lunch, and with puddles remaining on the unrepaired wicket ends as the mid-afternoon arrived, play was abandoned for the day. To fill their time, the Frogs did some fielding practice on the outfield before being evicted from the parks early and sent on their way to the Cherwell Boathouse where they dined. As usual, as superb dinner, followed by some port on the canal. The younger contingent of tourists ventured back to the city centre (some by scooter), where the typical frivolities took place.
Day 2 arrived with better weather and much higher prospects of play. A toss was won by McLeod, and the 'Tics stuck in. A couple of fine opening spells from Ellis and Marshall T reduced the 'Tics to 27-3 before a partnership of 56 was broken by Marshall O. Regular wickets became the name of the game for the Frogs, with wickets falling on 115, 144, 159, 168 (twice), and the final wicket falling for 170. Bowling figures of 3-30 for Ellis, 1-17 for Marshall T, 1-28 for Marshall O, 3-28 for GT, and a run out (the fielding practice obviously worked a treat).
The Frogs, however, lost an early wicket with Rich being bowled by Marriage for 2, before AC and Ben Donellan put on 50 for the second wicket. AC eventually fell caught and bowled for 44, which brought together McLeod and Donellan, who put on 86 for the third wicket. In this time Ben went to a superb maiden Frogs 50, finishing 75*. McLeod was run out for 33 with the score 151-3, leaving KG to come in for a quick 8* which got the Frogs over the line. A superb victory made by the bowling performance and a chanceless 75* from Donellan.
We thank the 'Tics for their hospitality over the two days, and look forward to returning next summer.
Tour Party: McLeod, Grey, Carson A, Marshall T, Marshall O, Donellan, Allen, Ellis J, Gorton, Hamilton, Lawrence R, Thomas.
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Frogs vs Beaconsfield
Sunday 14th June
Beaconsfield CC
Game Cancelled.
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Frogs vs Stowe Templars
Sunday 21st June
Stowe School
Frogs lose by 125 runs
Reported by Tom Marshall
Stowe Templars 292-4 dec.
Frogs 167
After a frantic final week of recruitment, a strong XI of Frogs arrived at a typically picturesque Stowe School. Skipper Marshall lost the toss and the Frogs were in the field.
It didn't take the Frogs long to learn that the wicket was flat, but good opening spells from Jono Wright and skipper Marshall controlled the run rate nicely, whilst picking up the first two wickets of the day. At 39-2 things were looking promising. Less so at 212-3 (with an excellent lunch in-between). The left handed Pickard had scored 125 off 112 balls, with a young South African student anchored the innings for exactly 100* at the time of declaration. Debutant leg spinner Suddhish Kadam and JOG both bowled well for one wicket each, but the left hand/right hand combination was tough to deal with, eventually leading to the Templars finishing 292-4.
The Frogs started well with the bat, with Lawrence and Pascal putting on 44 for the first wicket. Some sharp short pitched bowling was deployed, which was particularly hard to get away on a lifeless wicket. The Frogs struggled from this point, with 44-1 turning into 82-4, and 126-6. Cameos from Rust and Donellan, but little substance from a middle order of Dixon on debut (who kept very well), Marshall, and Kadam. JOG did his best to restore some pride during the final hour, but the Frogs were eventually bowled out for 167 after some sharp short pitched bowling at the tail from centurion Pickard (who returned 3-17 in addition to his 125*).
We thank the Templars for a superb day out (despite the result) and look forward to returning in 2027.
Frogs: Marshall T, Marshall A, O'Gorman, Lawrence R, Kadam, Dixon, Wright, Pascal, Allen, Donellan, Rust.
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Frogs vs John Lyon School
Monday 22nd June
Sudbury
Frogs win
Reported by Jack Ellis
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Frogs vs South Oxfordshire Amateurs
Thursday 25th June
Queens Collage, Oxford
Game cancelled due to Frogs being unable to raise an XI
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Frogs vs Old Cranleighans
Sunday 12th July
Cranleigh School
Game cancelled.
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Frogs vs The Hurlingham Club
Sunday 19th July
The Hurlingham Club
Frogs win by
Reported by Ben Ward
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Frogs vs Gerrards Cross CC
Sunday 26th July
Gerrards Cross
Game Cancelled.
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Frogs vs Sussex Martlets
Tuesday 28th July
Hurstpierpoint College
Frogs win by 12 runs
Reported by Jono Wright
Frogs 179 - T Marshall 64, C Lawton 48.
Sussex Martlets 167 - J Child 3-35, Donnellan 2-23, Wright 3-43, T Marshall 2-19
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Luckily skipper Wright had briefly scanned last year’s match report not long before this fixture so at first glance, if you squint, it may seem like a near carbon copy there are crucial differences. Never a danger of the game being rained off and shockingly (or impressively) not a single leg spinner in sight. The differences now end for a while… Knowing there would be a mutiny if the toss was won and the Frogs took the field first, the skipper successfully lost the toss again and was delighted when the Martlets captain graciously decided to have a bowl first. Perhaps he heard this authors heart shattering or simply knew something we did not (again).
Suspicions were aroused when the tall bendy opening bowler was spied getting loose, and confirmed when his run-up started closer to the sightscreen than strictly necessary and binoculars were needed to pick out the cordon far away down the hill. Nevertheless Wilding and Lawrence were dispatched to see us away. Five balls later Tom was trudging back to the pavilion muttering about not having played in a year, although to be fair it seems like anyone would have nicked that delivery off. Ben went out to join Richard and they watchfully navigated the next few overs until a sharp catch by the Martlets skipper had Donnellan strangled down the leg side courtesy of the other brisk South African opening bowler coming up the hill. Assistant to the Cartel Leader Tom Marshall strode out to join his batting hero. Who then sauntered back to after being bowled by the increasingly impressive Classen. Harvey Dixon, hero of the MCG Hurlingham Club came and went, being undone by an excellent slower ball delivery from Winslow. 13-4 from 8 overs.
The Frogs are reeling. Skipper wandering if this is what it’s like for the England management, watching your grand plan disintegrating in front of your eyes. Then snapping out of it realising there is no apparent grand plan at England. What England are also lacking is the sensible, stubborn and calm head of Tom Marshall, joined by the energetic and reassuring Jonny Rust. The pair set about seeing off the rest of the opening spell and launching a recovery operation not seen on these shores since a bunch of hobbyist sailors popped over to France for a jolly. The change bowlers were watchfully managed and the rebuild began. A fantastic partnership of 48 was only broken after an excellent snaffle at mid-wicket by opening bowler Winslow. Rusty was forced to leave the crease after a well made 25. In yet another change to the batting lineup (sorry Carol) Chalky made his way to the crease after having spent some time reminiscing about the shiny Frogs Helmet having made its debut against the Martlets back in 2017. Whilst he didn’t contribute to the scoreboard, a careful and watchful partnership with Tom added another valuable 21 runs and overs faced were notched up. With his departure Chris “Anthony Poshua” Lawton arrived at the crease to play a sublime innings alongside Tom, blasting runs in the H with that trademark high elbow. Another partnership of 48 ended when Tom was adjudged LBW for an invaluable 64. The Frogs had been dragged kicking and screaming back into this. A well-made 48 for Poshy came to an end and with cameos from Vaja (13), Brettell (4*) and Wright (7) a total of 179 all out was posted. The Martlets would have 46 overs in reply to get the runs once a sumptuous tea was consumed and everyone had dosed up on ibuprofen…
Early on in the chase it looked very much like the Martlets would get the total in quick time. In a move that sent shockwaves through the wandering cricket community, the skipper opened the bowling coming DOWN the hill (not to worry, normal service will be resumed at the next available opportunity). With Bray’s Vaja making his Frogs debut coming up the hill the Martlets openers made their intentions very clear from the outside, swinging their bats hard at absolutely everything. Helped along by an uncharacteristically “loose” first over from Vaja they raced to 39 by the penultimate ball of the 3rd over but Ritchie fell for the classic “leg stump half volley with a man at deep mid-wicket” trap to give Wright the first of this three wickets.
When Heffenham fell for 27 in the fifth over, skying one to point where Richard comfortably took a difficult catch despite having yours truly bearing down on him with pace thanks to a misjudgement (aka having no idea where the ball was coming down and mild concern that Mr Lawrence hadn’t moved an inch), it felt like everyone was able to take a breath. 55-2 after 5 overs, the game was certainly moving along.
The Frogs were able to wrestle back some control and get a foothold in this game with the Martlets losing their third wicket two overs later without adding to the score, this time Chalky taking the catch at mid-off. The introduction of Marshall and Child to the attack only served to strengthen this, with both bowling tidy spells and asking all sorts of questions of the Martlets batters, with Tom particularly unlucky not to nick off the left handed Theodoridi multiple times. John eventually had him caught at extra-cover by the skipper, and Tom got his well-deserved wicket of the Martlets skipper, sharply held low to his right by Rusty with the gloves on the following over. Tom followed that up clean bowling the very tall Classen in his next over and earning himself a break and graze out on the boundary. 94-6 with 26 overs to go and we well and truly had a game on our hands. It was time for the Martlets to dig themselves out of a hole with a solid partnership between Winslow and Peters (yet another left hander for the Martlets, one of five if memory serves correct).
A piece of magic would be required to break this and return hope, cue Richard Lawrence taking the most casual screamer at shortish cover, one handed to remove the threatening Winslow (debates about whether he could have gone with two hands will rage on but as the author couldn’t see the angle very well it shall remain a screamer only possible with a single hand). Two balls later John struck again, this time with a ball pitching well outside off, turning square and clattering into an off stump left unguarded by a misjudged but elegant leave. With Ben proving a handful with some terrific spinning and bouncing off-spin the Frogs sensed blood. Another helpful and concerning partnership built with the Martlets getting to 153 before Donnellan struck with a superb arm-ball bowling the dangerous looking Peters. A brief interlude where the skipper came back on to try and claim glory, and David Brettell had a go from the top end (you need to be left handed to bowl down the hill at Hurstpierpoint for the Frogs) showed it would clearly be spin to get the final wicket, so John came back into the fold. As the runs required edged slowly closer to single figures, the Frogs held firm, pressed hard with fields intent on taking the final wicket and not letting this thing peter out. With 7 overs and only 13 runs required to wine, Ben finally struck, bowling the number 11 to jubilant reactions from the Frogs.
Thanks must go to Miles and Andy for umpiring, Carol as always for keeping the scorebook immaculate, and to everyone who made the trip down to Sussex for a great game. A whole team contribution and a satisfying win is always a pleasure and looked a very long way off for quite a lot of the day. Thanks to the Martlets as well for providing a terrific game.
Frogs; J Wright (Captain), J Rust (Wicketkeeper), R Lawrence, T Wilding, B Donnellan, T Marshall, H Dixon, C Lawton, R Chalk, A Vaja, D Brettell, J Child. Scorer – Carol Quinn
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Frogs vs Gloucester Gypsies CC
Sunday 9th August
Stowell Park
Match drawn
Reported by Alex Gorton
Gypsies 231
Frogs 213-8 - Parsons 52
Eight men and three tadpoles of the Frogs made the trip to Stowell Park for the annual fixture against the Gypsies. A side packed full of talent, leg spin, and above all good blokes.
Having lost the toss and been asked to field first, the Frogs made strong early inroads, belying Stowell’s reputation as being a flat wicket. Jono bowled his usual immaculate opening spell, taking the opener with an excellent delivery that cut away from the right hander down the slope to rattle the timbers. At the other end, Sameer was ably backing up Jono, despite more often turning out for the Frogs as a keeper. Two more early wickets fell to Sameer, caught at point and an excellent slip catch from debutant George Parsons (M&BCC and Peru).
After the customary time to take the shine off the ball had been used, spin was swiftly introduced. Sam Griffiths took a quick scalp, bowling an advancing batter through the gate with a booming off break, whilst Nic Newell (debutant, Beaconsfield CC, aka Mini Gorto) hit the pads of the number 3 to claim a maiden Frogs wicket. After these breakthroughs left Gypsies 47/5, the sixth wicket partnership got to work and played well in favourable spinning conditions against the Frogs battery of leg spinners. It was only in the final over before lunch that Maestro was called upon - having initially asked to not bowl he volunteered for an over or two before lunch, and what a treat they were. In his first four balls, GT ripped through two Gypsies, one caught at point and the second victim to the best delivery of the day, leaving the Gypsies own leggie wondering what he did wrong. Think Gilo to Damian Martyn in 2005 and you’re getting close to how delicious a delivery this was. And a fitting note to have an excellent lunch.
Unfortunately after lunch the oppositions keeper chances his arm in a characterful innings, which took the momentum away from Frogs as he managed to evade fielders with his shot. 117/7 at lunch quickly turned to 198/8, as Tom O’Connor removed him after a quick 36. The skipper closed out the last two, one of which was a shocking half tracker caught by GT at a short mid wicket to deprive the unfortunate batter of a deserved century - caught for 99. Gypsies were all out for 231, an excellent effort from the Frogs on a rapid outfield but a pitch starting to take more than a hint of spin.
To start the Frogs chase, Thierry and Harvey took to the crease. After a watchful start, they started to expand their scoring options despite being immediately confronted by a nagging off spin attack from one end. Thierry was the first to fall with the score on 47, a solid start to the chase. Harvey fell with the score on 68, a marginal LBW going against him, leaving Sameer and George batting together. The pair batter intelligently and gradually expanded the scoring rate, leaving the Frogs needing 90 from the final 20 overs come 5:30pm. Unfortunately, it was at this moment that proceedings started to get away from the Frogs line up. George was out in the first over of the final 20 for a well made 52, with Ben Hinkel (M&BCC, debutant) also falling to a marginal call in the same over. Momentum slipped, and despite Sameer and Sam Griffiths scrapping hard, the run rate continued to rise with the Gypsies bowling a disciplined spell from each end. Sameer was eventually caught for 48, taking the positive option to try to see us to a win. With the Gypsies total in sight, the decision was made to continue to aim for the win, however quick wickets fell as the pitch showed further inconsistent bounce and significant turn. Jono was, of course, on hand to see out the draw with the Frogs reaching 213/8 in 51 overs.
All in all, an excellent game and thanks to our hosts for their hospitality, and to Carol for scoring - something we are all very appreciative of. An excellent day out, even if the MM made his second flag based faux par of the week post game…
Frogs XI - T Pascal, H Dixon, Sa Manchanda, G Parsons (debut), B Hinkel (debut, WK), S Griffiths, A Gorton (c), T O’Connor, N Newell (debut), J Wright, T Allen