​

Touring Party:  A. Carson and C. Carson (Managers), T. Allen, R. Chalk, J. Child, E. Denman, A. Gorton, K. Grey, J. Hamilton, R. Lawrence, C. Lawton, Sa. Manchanda, Sw. Manchanda, A. Marshall, O. Marshall, T. Marshall, M. Ogden, J. O’Gorman, T. Pascal, P. Searing, T. Shaw, L. Talalla, S. Walsh, W. Whitson, M(c). Williams, J. Wright 
Tour party: C. Quinn (scorer), M(k). Williams (umpire), Lawton et al., Searing et al., Al. Marshall, G. Prain, K. Rodger (and Bruno)

East Woodhay

Frogs 149-6 (34.2) beat East Woodhay 146ao (39.1) by 6 wickets

T Marshall, T Pascal, C Carson*, C Lawton, M Ogden, A Gorton, Sa Manchanda (wk), A Carson, Sw Manchanda, J O’Gorman, S Walsh

Frogs were busy looking forward to the first day of tour, when notice came out a few days before that there would be no tea this year (letter from R Chalk impending?). Tour supremo Andrew Carson quickly began organising a combined BYO tea amongst the players to ensure suitable sustenance, with T Mars offering up the old uni diet of beer, crisps and fruit! 

2024 saw the start of a cop out bowl first approach by Cal after winning the toss. However, play was delayed as both umpire Mark Williams and tour debutants the Manchanda brothers were yet to arrive! Play eventually got under way with a full 11 and Walshy and T Mars took the new ball. Tom made the early breakthrough thanks to Ogden plucking an excellent catch off his ankle at 2nd slip, however Walshy had less luck as one beat Gorts at gully for pace though bowled straight through; 8-1-39-0. With limited seam options on tour (more recruitment is needed for future years before T Mars breaks) Cal turned to the spin of Gorton and Ogden. Both immediately settled into a rhythm, with Gorts doing his best Rashid Khan impressions.

Talbot Williams batted well and brought up his 50, but was dismissed in the same over by Gorton with a ball that turned and clipped the top of off. From there (at 70ish for 3 before drinks) the Frog’s spinners strangled East Woodhay with only the occasional boundary. Ogden, Manchanda and Gorts all went at 3 an over or fewer (Gorts finished with 8-3-24-3). Walters (who has often deposited a Frogs bowler or two) offered some resistance for East Woodway and with their no. 5 still at the crease had a chance to reach a defendable total. Thankfully, after climbing into a couple off Jog, he offered a flat catch to deep cover off Swapnil which Poshy took nonchalantly above his head. At the other end Jog showed his class and took 4-33, including two high ones caught by Cal at cover.

At 9 down heading into the final over, Cal decided to turn to his third seamer (who is making a bowling comeback). The first ball was a wide, but the second was in a much better area which the batter could only spoon towards backward point. This left Jog in an ethical pickle of whether to take the catch. The reason for the ethical pickle? Cal had brought on AC to bowl on day one of tour, much to the (unjustified) horror of the playing XI and those following on social media! East Woodhay were bowled out for 146, excellent tour management methinks...

Frogs indulged at tea, with a plethora of assorted food items. A special thanks go to Jono who produced some wonderful lamb (+sauce) which was the tea highlight.

After tea it was clear that there were two different approaches to bowling. Frogs had opted for “death by spin” while the East Woodhay bowlers looked to utilised the extra bounce in the wicket. The plan worked as the first five batters were dismissed by short pitched balls - T Mars and Thierry were bounced out, Cal edged a wide one that bounced more than expected, and after Poshy was also bounced out Gorton deflected his first ball onto the stumps to leave tour debutant Sameer to face the hattrick ball! At this point the decision to chase looked an interesting one, as Ogden and Sameer set to rebuild. Overs would never be an issue and so as a partnership built and Sameer crunched a short ball to the boundary the nerves began to ease. However, Sameer also fell to a well-directed short ball and so it was up to AC (batting at eight) to support Ogden in chasing then final 50 runs.

Thankfully, both looked at home and as AC kept piercing the gap at cover for four the target slowly came into sight. East Woodhay opted against bringing back the two danger bowlers, and between Ogden (33*) and AC (35*) Frogs reached the target 6 down in 34.2 overs – a perfect start to tour.

Although there was a fairly strong Elgar nomination for Cal for standing at square leg sporting a bucket hat, beer in hand with no counters and incorrectly challenging Mark Williams’ ability to count to six, Elgar was awarded to tour debutant Sameer. Cal’s reasoning was that you can’t start tour when your wicket keeper is late!

All that left was for Frogs to head to Andover for a curry, play some games of cinco and “viente plus one” and await the ensuing Elgar nominations…

Wiltshire Queries

Frogs 181ao (47.3) lost to Wiltshire Queries 247-5 (44) by 66 runs

A Carson*, R Lawrence, E Denman, L Talalla, A Gorton, T Marshall, C Carson, Sa. Manchanda, P Searing, J Wright, T Allen, R Chalk

Continuing the bowl first strategy, skipper for the day Andrew Carson inserted the Queries on a fresh pitch under slightly overcast skies. The 11am start usually means a little slower outfield and the Frogs fancied a chase this year. Luke Talalla opened the bowling with Jono Wright and Luke took the one wicket with the new ball. Jono bowled very well at the other end and a chance did go down in the cordon. His 10-1-38-0 were excellent figures though on a good pitch. Alex Gorton took the second wicket at 57-2 in the 15th. This was thanks though to a magnificent catch from Paddy Searing back peddling and then putting out a left hand above his head to take the catch falling backwards. However, from here the third wicket partnership built and the Frogs began to leak runs pretty quickly, at lunch the Queries were 157-2 from 33 overs as Gorton and Allen couldn’t quite find the breakthrough.

After lunch the Queries continued to accelerate and even the introduction of Tom Marshall could not stem the flow. Gorton did pick up two more wickets but the Queries played freely and reached 247-5 from 44 overs, at which point an excellent declaration from Queries skipper Tom Shaw came, giving the Frogs 50 overs to chase the score.

The chase did not start well though as captain Carson got one that nipped back up the slope and despite the smallest appeal, practically walked off LBW and was given. 0-1 from 0.1. From here the Frogs just never really got going and the introduction of Ninian McGregor bowling his slow loopy leg breaks combined with some tight bowling the other end tied the scoring. Lawrence (28) was caught at backward point attempting to cut McGregor off the front foot and Gorton deposited him to the hands of deep midwicket. With Ed Denman, Talalla and Callum Carson also back in the hut the Frogs were 90-6 from 29 overs and struggling. From here though, Tom Marshall (47) built two partnerships with Sameer Manchanda (24) and Paddy Searing (22*) but at 167-8 and needing over 10 an over, time and options were running out for the Frogs. The ninth wicket fell with six overs to go but the last pair could not hang on as the Frogs were bowled out for 181. A 66 run loss against a very impressive Queries side.

On the sideline, whilst watching the Frogs’ struggles with the bat, strong numbers of the touring party were engaging in one of the Frogs favourite pastimes, crown green bowls. Joe O’Gorman had brought two bowls sets with him and the well-kept grass at Tidworth provided the perfect place for numerous games. A fantastic addition to the week.

After travelling down to Bampton, with the addition of the Wiltshire Queries captain Tom Shaw, Elgar was awarded in the Spelt restaurant – opened specifically for the Frogs! Callum Carson was the lucky winner, getting too close to the chippy window in Andover the night before was a more than worthy nomination.

Devon Dumplings

Frogs 8-2 (3) abandoned due to dangerous pitch vs Devon Dumplings 217-9 dec (55)

T Shaw, A Carson*, R Lawrence, K Grey, M Ogden, O Marshall, M Williams, T Marshall, J Hamilton, J O’Gorman, J Child

On the Tuesday, the Frogs made the short 40 minute drive to Exeter Cricket Club to play the Dumplings. Another slightly overcast day (the story of the week) but with the sun peeping through on occasions. The pitch was a used one and had a few cracks in it before the start.

Tom Mashhall and James Hamilton took the new ball for the Frogs and there was early success, the Dumplings 22-2 on a pitch with some inconsistent bounce. The second an excellent catch from the skipper, very similar to Paddy’s the day before but with the right hand over the head this time. At four though, in walked Devon captain James Horler who was the key man. Marshall picked up a second, though not Horler and the seamers were replaced by the spin of John Child and Owen Marshall at 50-3 from 17. However, the Dumplings built two very good partnerships on a pitch offering some serious turn and bounce. Joe O’Gorman was introduced shortly before the interval and had success in his second over as the Dumplings lunched 124-4 from 32. After lunch O’Gorman continued from the far end and after three overs of Hamilton it was Ogden from the pavilion end. Jog continued to chip away at the Dumplings batters but Horler continued to add to the scorecard in a good battle. Ogden bowled tightly with the Frogs content to give Horler a single lead to a little bit of cat and mouse game. O’Gorman deservedly picked up his fifth wicket in an excellent spell, 15.5-1-64-5 and Ogden got his first in a very tidy 8-1-19-1 but Horler got to a very good hundred, he was the only man that looked at home on a tricky surface. The Dumplings then declaring 217-9 from 55 overs.

The Frogs then went out to bat and as per Monday, were reduced to 0-1 from 0.1 as Tom Shaw was caught by close in cover diving forwards. The next two balls leapt from a length, one hitting Rich above the hip from but the next rearing towards Rich’s helmet from a fullish length, his glove saving him a nasty blow. Lawrence had seen enough from the pitch and with a blow to his hand, promptly, retired hurt. Kieran Grey saw out the last three balls with less alarm but with very low bounce in the second over there were some initials discussions between Andrew Carson and umpires. The third over began and Carson got a two to square leg before getting an excellent delivery that again leapt and he was caught behind.

The loud whack then heard from the changing rooms and seen by most was Kieran Grey going forwards and being hit in the helmet. This was enough to stop the game and with the ball rearing dangerously from a length and inconsistent bounce throughout, following a conversation between skippers and umpires the game was abandoned. This was of course disappointing to all but the correct decision for the safety of the players. At only 4pm, a long lap of the boundary bowls course followed but with the bowling balls, not cricket balls.

Back in Bampton again, Elgar was awarded to Owen Marshall for spilling the entire sauce of his main course on his t-shirt, 30 seconds after Elgar was awarded on Monday night.

North Devon Cricket Club

Frogs 229-1 (34.4) beat North Devon Cricket Club 227ao (39.3) by 9 wickets

T Shaw, W Whitson, E Denman (wk), P Searing, C Lawton, C Carson*, M Ogden, K Grey, O Marshall, L Talalla, J Child, T Allen

Frogs were met at Instow by a rather wet and blustery afternoon, with forecasts expecting the weather to improve as the day went on. Cal again opted to bowl first, due to the batting-heavy balance of the side and perhaps selfishly not wanting to bat in the rain!

The new ball was taken by Luke and Kieran, who pulled rank and took the end of choice. KG seems to be one of those annoyingly good cricketers who can do everything, and offered up a heavy length with some nip away and had 5 catchers at one point! His figures of 8-2-26-2 are possibly one of the best opening spells at Instow by a Frog in recent years.

At the pavilion end Luke enjoyed the extra bounce the Instow pitch offered (perhaps his only Aussie-like pitch of the summer) but was flayed square of the wicket with the number 4 bat taking the counter attack to Luke, before KG cleaned him up. At this point the score was 78-3 in only the 14th over. Although Luke only took one wicket in his spell, the stream showed what a peach of a delivery it had been; an in-ducker through the gate leaving middle stump splayed.

What hasn’t been mentioned is the conditions the Frogs fielded in for the first 15 overs. After agreeing to start in some light drizzle the conditions worsened leading to an awful over rate, wholly due to the skipper’s attempts to keep the ball dry. What followed was an afternoon of glorious sunshine (just in time for the spinners), as John Child and GT came into the attack. Tom Shaw, on his first visit to Instow, probably summed up the players’ majority view when Mark Williams told him what a great experience it now was with the sun out. Tom’s reply was along the lines of “I could have got the same experience without having to field through fifteen overs of rain first though!” Ogden appeared to prefer the warmer weather and was afforded a lovely graze in the field, though there were a couple of times where it looked like he would be staring longingly out into the estuary as the ball was bowled!

Child (with his SLA) bowled tidily and took 2-8 off his first five overs. He was backed up expertly by GT at the other end who took three wickets. Due to this, N. Devon fell from 78-3 to 121-6, and then to 149-8. At this point it seemed like there could be a lot of Frogs batters upset at Cal for ruining their chance to bat at Instow. However, perhaps as a result of some overly attacking fields, Moore (who scored runs the previous year) continued to deal in boundaries and was adeptly supported by his number 10, save for a delivery which GT believed should have given him his 4th wicket. After Moore took two overs for 27, Owen came into the attack in an attempt to goad him out like last year. Unfortunately, he couldn’t manage to as Moore reached his 100 off 66 balls and by this point had motored NDCC towards the 220 mark. GT had the last laugh though, dismissing the final batter as NDCC were all out for 227 which the Frogs would have 42 overs to chase.

After tea and the annual tour photo squinting into the sun (unfortunately not blocked out by the thumb), Tom Shaw and Wayne opened and were faced with the challenge of left arm spin first up, but thankfully for Shaw it wasn’t Aparajit! The pair made a good start before Wayne was trapped LBW for 11. Although unconvinced with the decision at first, Wayne’s opinion soon changed after watching the stream back! Ed Denman joined Shaw at the crease and the pair continued to score at a good rate with relatively risk-free cricket (Shaw offered up a tough chance that wasn’t taken) up to the start of the last hour. From here Frogs required 120 with 9 wickets in hand, a hopefully straightforward task with both batters on / nearing 50.

Post drinks Shaw put his foot down, scoring a number of boundaries and twos as he went from his 50 to 100 in 38 balls before retiring – an excellent knock. This brought Paddy to the crease with 57 required off 13 overs. With Ed already having passed 50 there was a chance of him also making a century and was still not out the question with 20 runs to win. However, due to Paddy the scoreboard not always being up to date with Ed’s score he eventually was left 14 short of his hundred, with Paddy 17* as Frogs won by 9 wickets – sorry batters that missed out!! Congrats though to Tom Shaw on his first Frogs / tour hundred, which has hopefully given him the appetite to return next year.

A meal at the boathouse followed and after a relatively quiet day in terms of incidents, Elgar was awarded to AC for depositing his boundary bowl into the hedge while attempting a pétanque style throw and then spending ten minutes trying to find it, although successfully in the end. 

North Devon League XI

Frogs 259-6 dec. (45) lost to North Devon League XI 260-8 (44.5) by 2 wickets

T Pascal, M Ogden, C Lawton, C Carson*, M Williams, L Talalla, W Whitson (wk), P Searing, J O’Gorman, S Walsh, A Marshall, T Allen

Frogs were met by surprisingly pleasant weather at Valley of Rocks, which resulted in a large game of piggy (groundsman’s dog) in the middle and a chance to test out some of AC’s catchability / clutch ratings derived the day before. Unfortunately, Cal lost the toss and Frogs were inserted.

Pascal and Ogden opened up, with the former departing for 11 to a ball that lifted and found the glove. This brought Poshy to the crease and the pair built steadily, reaching 85 in the 19th over before Posh was out caught for 31. Captain Cal came and went quickly so it was up to Beddo’s finest, Marc Williams, to support Ogden who soon brought up a run a ball 50. Without the old Puma bat Marc looked a changed man, scoring an excellent 33 before also being caught. At this point Frogs were 187-5 off 35, and Ogden continued to push on at the other end and very quickly moved into the 90s. Perhaps cursed by the discussion between T Mars and Cal of whether there was a phone to film his hundred, Ogden was out the next ball for 93! At 224-6 off 40 and tea collection not planned for another half an hour, Cal asked his batters to manage the next few overs sensibly to balance time take vs runs scored to avoid setting too high a target (hindsight is a wonderful thing…). Paddy and Wayne managed this well, with Frogs declaring on 259-6 now that most of the tea had arrived!

Luke and Walshy took the new ball and, although wicketless, Walsh bowled very well and deserved a couple of wickets (0-43 off 9). Ogden was brought into the attack early as Cal sought to change the momentum. The plan worked as Ogden got the first wicket of the innings in his third over, followed immediately by an edge to slip which Malc snaffled, putting NDLXI 70-2 off 13. Unfortunately, NDLXI continued to be fairly free scoring and due to a very good ten over period where they scored 70, including a couple of expensive overs from Jog (because the skipper bowled him at the wrong end), only four an over was required in the last hour.

By this point other bowlers had been used to no avail and so Jog joined the attack from his choice of end, alongside Ogden who had also been brought back. VoR is never an easy ground to catch at (let alone on day five of tour) and this showed as Frogs decided against catching the opener on multiple occasions; Paddy juggled a swirling high ball, Thierry couldn’t hang to one diving forward at long off and Cal moved with the athleticism of an injured sloth to not quite reach one off Ogden. However, the most spectacular drop was from Luke. With the opener on 139 (a knock which contained ten 6s), he skied Jog to deep cover where Luke was waiting under the high ball. After dropping the catch Luke threw it at the bowler’s end, apologising for the drop mid throw, only to hit and run out the centurion to much confusion and laughter all round! Whoops bunny!! This left NDLXI 242-6 and with the tail now exposed it still gave Frogs a sniff at clawing back a result.

Jog (2-73) and Ogden each took one more wicket to leave the oppo 8 down with 12 required, and Frogs believed a win was still possible. It’s the hope that kills you though as yet another maximum was struck! To perhaps then sum up the day, Ogden bowled his arm ball to the number 10 bat which somehow beat the bat, stumps and keeper to run away for four byes – meaning NDLXI reached their target with a couple of overs to spare. A very good effort by the Frogs to try and turn the game round, with a few chances not quite going to hand on day five. A special mention to Matt Ogden, who scored 93 and took 5-48 from his 16 overs! Maybe VoR is the ground to bowl 16 overs, though at least Ogden avoided a Jamie Bill-esque injury!!

Elgar was awarded on the Esplanade as Frogs tucked into their fish ‘n’ chips. Although there were some obvious nominations a couple had snuck under the radar until the very end. Having claimed to KG earlier in the day that he had “never dropped a catch in England” and relying on three separate tourists to cover his evening meals as Aus dollars have not yet made it to Devon as legal tender, Luke was awarded Elgar. After a couple of drinks in the Swan, the rest of the evening was spent back at the cottage where Luke continued to try and understand “Whoops Bunny” but without success, much to the amusement of those who understand the game!

Somerset Stragglers

Frogs 240ao (40) beat Somerset Stragglers

K Grey, R Lawrence, O Marshall, T Pascal, T Marshall, M Williams, M Ogden, J O’Gorman, E Denman (wk), L Talalla, J Child, A Carson*

Somehow non batting skipper for the day Andrew Carson won his fourth toss out of four (Frogs five for six in the week) but went against the tactic from the first four games, the Frogs chose to bat first. The Stragglers had a very sharp opening bowler who provided a good challenge to the top order and reduced the Frogs to 36-3 from the first 10 overs. With Grey caught behind, Pascal bowled and so too Owen Marshall. Richard Lawrence was trapped LBW for 20 at the other end and the Frogs were in some bother at 48-4 from 12. However with a long batting line up and Marc Williams and Tom Marshall at the crease, there was still time and hope of a recovery. A fifth wicket partnership of 65 in 11 overs was what the Frogs required as both Williams and Marshall took good options and found gaps on yet again another excellent Bishops Lydeard pitch. Marshall (32) was dismissed LBW which brought Ogden to the crease. Williams was the more aggressive in their partnership and looked in excellent touch, before departing for a well made 69 at 154-6. Out walked Joe O’Gorman who with Ogden built another good partnership to keep the Frogs moving. Ogden (32) was dismissed caught at cover off Beer who bowled an excellent spell to take four wickets but Jog was still there and going well! His 40 from 38 balls was very well made and propelled the Frogs to 240ao from the final ball of the 40 overs. With finishing touches added by the Maidenhead and Bray contingent of Denman, Talalla and Child (honorary M&B).

Another tremendous spread was on show and as the Frogs tucked in, presentations were made to Mark Williams as tour umpire and Carol Quinn as tour scorer to thank them for their officiating during the week.

After tea thoughts turned to defending what was probably a par score on a good pitch. Tom Marshall and Kieran Grey took the new ball and managed to limit the scoring. Grey picking up the first wicket to fall as the Stragglers reached 40-1 from the first 10. Before the changes of bowling though it must be noted that Richard Lawrence (of course after a long week) dropped three catches in the cordon, all off Tom Marshall. The first a tricky chance at gully, followed by two quite straightforward chances at second slip, the latter two even after Tom had switched Rich and Owen around.

So it then had to be the all out spin attack from the Frogs as Child and Owen Marshall came into the attack. Both of them bowled tidily and kept the scoring down, John picking up a wicket thanks to a good catch standing up to the stumps from Ed Denman. At drinks the score was 82-2, the Stragglers needing 159 from the final 20.

Child (6-0-25-1) was replaced by Ogden with Owen continuing and both bowlers picked up wickets in the 23rd and 24th overs respectively. This meant that the Stragglers captain, Luke Williams came to the crease, a man able to clear the rope. This he did twice off Ogden before a clever piece of bowling, a little slower and wider, saw him hit one straight up next ball to be caught by Marc Williams. From here, with the rate rising, the Frogs put in a pretty clinical performance.

Jog (replacing Owen) got his first after the skipper took a good diving catch at long on, then Ogden got another which suddenly left the Stragglers 152-7 from 31. Jog finished the game in the 34th over with three wickets, all bowled! His figures 3-0-6-4 and Ogden 6-0-38-3 bowling the Stragglers out for 158 to win by 82 runs.

So the week ended with a record of:

P6 W3 L2 A1 – all in all very successful.

The last thing to do was to award Elgar, which was awarded to Callum for misplacing his ID as he had hurried to beat the players for a shower! Ogden’s eager eye thankfully prevented any further ramifications.

The final word is, as always, a thanks. First to the 26(!) players who represented the Frogs across the six days, a remarkable number and a big thanks to all for making the effort to be available. Then to Marc and Carol for their officiating in the week and the other club’s officials and players as well. The Frogs spectators who cheered us on so well during the week (some of them snapped at NDCC), the grounds we played on for their catering and facilities and last but by no means least, the village of Bampton for all its food options and culinary delights!

With the Stragglers game the last of a good Frogs season, thoughts turn to winter activities of snooker, bowls, curries and in due course the 2025 season.