Frogs CC, another new addition to the ever-burgeoning fixture list, are a fellow wandering cricket club, established in 1903 and principally playing matches in London and the South East against the likes of Cryptics, Oxford Authentics, Eton Ramblers and Cross Arrows. They were welcomed to Fitzwilliam College ground (a big thank you to David Norman for stepping in at the last minute when the original venue cancelled) on a sunny Sunday afternoon by a strong Philanderers Sunday line up, captained by Ed Pearson.
Frogs won the toss and chose to bat against our opening attack of Rory D and young academy recruit George Doel. George quickly removed one of the openers, caught behind by Will Wright and after a quiet period of accumulation and mixed bowling with a few too many wides, Mihir was brought into the attack. Both batsman and umpire were completely bamboozled as a leg break landed on the toe of the batsman and then, via an edge, into waiting gloves of Will Wright. LBW or caught? not even the umpire was sure so he raised his finger with the immortal words, “Not Out”. Perplexed, the batsman trudged off. Frogs made steady if somewhat slow progress for a further 2 hours to finish 210 for 6, with wickets for Hammond, Doel again and a run out from Rob Gill. The Fuhrer arrived mid innings and obviously felt he had made sufficient contribution to claim a highly sought-after team tea!!
90 mins plus 20 overs seemed a fair target for a strong Phillies batting line up. The two Wills, Wright and Hammond, opened up with some powerful cuts, back foot shots down the ground and a flat six over square leg. Will H picked out point for a stylish 38 and after 2 drives Ed Dodson was bowled for 8. Rob Gill came and went for 21 but not before a few lusty blows, including the customary six. Will Wright continued to a fine 50 but finally ran out of energy on 59 following 50 overs behind the stumps chasing wides and too many three runs. 59 needed off 12 overs, but with Ed P picking out deep mid-wicket Mihir needed someone to stick with him to enjoy watching his array of classic shots mixed in with reverse sweeps and paddles. Sir G fell LBW and with Ben Cross chipping to mid-wicket in strode George Doel. 12 needed off 10 balls, Mihir on 36 so take a single and let Mihir finish it off. Not a problem for our boy George, a cut for 4, another 2 to the mid-wicket boundary (but not without a fantastic effort by the fielder to palm the ball back from a six) and then George found the middle of the bat and the ball sailed into the neighbouring garden. Game over, a win by 3 wickets, an excellent match and all recorded for the first time on electronic gadgetry by David Pimblett.
Ed Dodson
The Crowd