Frogs CC | Sussex Martlets

Match Report

The weather forecast had been gloomy. England were bound to be playing in the World Cup Final that evening which would lead to the Frogs to pull out due to lack of players (last season they cried off late in the day due to a bike ride in London affecting their transport)!

Alas twas a bright sunny day and Roy`s men did me proud! We had a strong team of colourful characters, the oppo had confirmed…what could possibly go wrong?

Some of us mortal souls don’t always turn up expecting wickets galore and runs aplenty. For those less-talented amongst us simply to play at our beautiful venues, with such personable team-mates is thrill enough. But what many of us relish is not just the banter and the excitement of the cricket…..we love our cricket teas.

No tea had been booked for this match. Will Rydon, cricketing, agricultural (and now culinary) legend saved the day. Will swerved his tractor into Waitrose en route and produced fare to (almost) compete with the famous Newick teas.

By the time tea was served the Martlets had amassed 245-9 in 43 overs. Mark Chapple and Hector Loughton opened stylishly and put on a swift 40. Loughton batted for an hour for his 37 and George Holman ground out a helpful 28.

Matt O`Rourke and James Waylett then blasted 16 boundaries. Waylett scored 34 in 15 minutes and O`Rourke fell one short of his half-century. David Mann, the sports master at Lancing College, provided great (although Aussie) banter in the changing-room.

And he can bat (and bowl). David chipped in 31. So to the sumptuous tea. Maybe the Frogs got too carried away….it was all too much for them.

Alas they gave up the chase and bunkered down for a draw a tad too early, perhaps.

The Marlets toiled manfully. Mike Margarson snaffled a couple of wickets, as did Chapple. Mike Murray chipped in with a wicket and some tactical nous, but it was not to be.

The pick of the bowlers. Well, Joe Waylett deserves a mention for his 5 overs. Only 8 runs resulted and he was unlucky not to be amongst the wickets.

However, it was the saviour of tea-time, WR himself, with 9 overs for just 18 runs with 2 wickets who gets the vote. Enthusiastic in the field to the (if not bitter, then slightly anti-climatic) end, this Martlet team stuck at it and one hopes enjoyed their afternoon….and the post match San Miguels and Fullers… at this most pleasant of venues.

The evil skipper did however slightly blot his copy book by overcharging his team by £5 a head ! Whoops. Well that tea was worth it wasn’t it boys? And it put a smile on the Treasurers face……apologies all round.