The first player throws two toads, the second three toads and thereafter, four toads are thrown each turn. The most well know example in England comes from Norfolk and Essex and is called Pitch Penny, Penny The rules of each leg are – four toads, 31 down, first player throws two toads, second three, then 4 each. Once score required is less than four, one toad is played per point needed, and an exact number is required to finish. (Four toads in the hole does NOT automatically win the leg.) Any player may choose not to throw all of their toads in any turn.

There would then be a toss of a coin (or similar fair method, a toss nearest the hole is often used), the winner to decide in which leg to go first. Players go first in alternate legs. The third leg need not be played if it is 2-0. If it is 1-1, another toss will be made for the final leg. Toad in the hole is a pub game, involving throwing brass coins at a lead topped table with a hole in the middle. The game is a more refined version of the coin-throwing game pitch penny. However, the most important appearance by this humble food was from 1861, from the Book of Household Management by Mrs Beeton - which immortalized it the world over since as how it is now: the traditional English banger baked in a crispy dough, served with rich, savory gravy. number from one to twelve. A common feature is that the front hole in the middle is special, being a The original league in the United Kingdom is based in East Sussex, and has three divisions, involving roughly 21 teams based in pubs around the county. There is also a major "international competition", run by the Lions Club in Lewes and held in that town every year. More recently, a Brighton & Hove league was set up in 2021, involving local pubs and venues.

than they can cope with and so some of the less "serious" teams don't make it to the starting line. far-fetched. Perhaps the name, however, did come about due to some random influence from across the a mystery. If anyone, can shed any light on these matters, the author would be pleased to receive an I love an easy toad in the hole. It’s a perfect, simple midweek meal. Once you’ve made the batter you can just pop it in the oven and forget about until it’s ready so it’s great for a low effort, family meal.

the hole rather than sliding forward into it. The Essex and Norfolk Pitch Penny holes are (or were)

Toad in the Hole

However, there is one English culinary treasure that takes the cake: and that is the toad in the hole. same game as Pitch Penny, the only difference being that a dedicated table or box is used instead of If a team turns up without a minimum of 4 players, for whatever reason, they should play all matches, as if the missing person(s) was scoring 0! So, with 3 turning up, 3 singles matches would be played, the 4 th one conceded (although it could be played as a friendly for the 4 th player, who would chose his/her opponent but no 8s would count for the substitute person). After the first doubles, the second doubles would be 2 against 1, with the 1 only getting 1 throw in a round, (eg a3, b3, a4, -, a3, b3, a4, -, etc, ie 2 throws against 1). Similarly in the team game, with 4 against 3, throw a1, b1, a2, b2, a3, b3, a4, a1, etc. Preheat your oven to 200C / 190C Fan / 390 F and grease the base and sides of a roasting tin with a little oil.