We arrived at Bengeo in sweltering conditions for another Saturday of cricket. The sun was already making its presence felt, and the wicket looked like the perfect surface on which to win the toss and bat first. It was also a pleasure to be greeted by two familiar faces in the shape of Sam Tilby and Ben Compton, both making their first appearances of the season for Ware. Their return was a welcome boost to the side, and it was great to have them back amongst the team.

For only the second time this season, the cricketing gods smiled upon me as I won the toss and, following what now felt like a well-rehearsed script, elected to bat.

Our innings began steadily against some disciplined opening bowling, and Bengeo were rewarded with a couple of early wickets to keep us under pressure. Andy then arrived at the crease and immediately set about rebuilding the innings alongside Ben. The pair batted with patience and composure, gradually wrestling the momentum back in our favour.

Andy produced another valuable contribution, reaching a well-made 40 before a devilish delivery squeezed between bat and pad and gently disturbed the stumps. It was the sort of ball that every batsman hopes never to meet.

Ben continued confidently, joined by Alex, and together they built another important partnership. Ben looked increasingly assured before eventually losing his wicket while trying to accelerate, having made a valuable 18. Although the score may not fully reflect the quality of his innings, his contribution was another important building block in what was becoming a competitive total.

Sam Tilby was next to the crease and, together with Alex, continued to move the scoreboard along with some attractive stroke play and sensible running between the wickets. Alex eventually fell while looking to increase the scoring rate, leaving Sam to guide the lower order through the closing stages of the innings. He did so superbly, finishing with an impressive 45 before Ware were dismissed for 197 in 37.3 overs.

After a leisurely tea, it was our turn to take the field.

It would be fair to say that Bengeo’s approach to bowling and fielding could best be described as… measured. Every over seemed to include a lengthy tactical conference, accompanied by fielders moving two yards one way before being invited to move a yard back again. Whether this was an advanced tactical masterclass or simply an enthusiastic attempt to ensure everyone reached their daily step count remains open to debate. One might gently suggest that a little less time rearranging the field and a little more attention to avoiding an extraordinarily generous extras column may have served them equally well.

Nevertheless, we took to the field full of enthusiasm and optimism. A target of 197 felt defendable, and those feelings were strengthened almost immediately when Alex struck in his opening over. The batsman flashed hard at the ball, only for Andy Milton to produce what was undoubtedly the catch of the day, stretching high above his head to claim a magnificent one-handed catch with an air of complete nonchalance. It was the sort of effort that makes every captain wonder why all catches cannot be taken quite so effortlessly.

The game then settled into a fascinating rhythm, with momentum ebbing and flowing between the two sides. Neither team ever seemed fully in control, and each wicket brought renewed belief that the balance of the contest might be shifting.

Further excellent catches followed. Alex Willis covered excellent ground to take a fine catch running around at mid-on, while Sam Tilby produced another outstanding piece of fielding, charging in from deep cover to claim a superb low catch that surprised just about everyone watching.

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Bengeo remained patient and disciplined. Partnerships developed just when they were needed, and their batsmen resisted the temptation to panic, quietly keeping pace with the required run rate. They were determined to make the afternoon last as long as possible, remaining entirely faithful to what occasionally appeared to be the club philosophy of, “We’ve set the whole day aside, so we may as well use every available minute.”

There were several excellent bowling performances. Ben once again impressed with the new ball, finishing with 2 wickets for just 26 runs from his eight overs and continuing to establish himself as a dependable opening bowler. I was fortunate enough to take 3 wickets for 36 runs, including a pleasing caught-and-bowled with the final delivery of my spell. Darren bowled exceptionally well, conceding only 27 runs from his eight overs despite finishing wicketless, while Jamie produced an excellent spell at the death, restricting the scoring and ensuring the contest remained alive deep into the closing overs.

Ultimately, however, Bengeo held their nerve. They edged past our total in the 38th over,
There are days when cricket has a script all of its own, and on a blazing afternoon at Widford this one threatened to become a horror story before turning into a classic.
Asked to bat first, Ware promptly lurched to 0 for 2. Not a run on the board. Minds inevitably drifted back to that miserable collapse earlier in the season against the same Harpenden Dolphins when 27 was all that could be mustered. Was history about to repeat itself?
Not while Hugh Reid and Steve Price had other ideas.
Together they calmly rebuilt the innings with a magnificent partnership of 82 that transformed the match. Steve was the architect, producing a splendid 59 packed with determination and class, while Hugh was the perfect foil, compiling a superb 41 that was every bit as valuable. Joel chipped in with a lively 17, skipper Kev added a breezy 21, and a spirited last-over stand from Will and Dev nudged Ware to what looked a thoroughly respectable 154.
Enough? On yet another featherbed lovingly prepared by Julian Pawle—groundsman, curator and all-round miracle worker—it still felt anyone's game.
Jack and birthday boy Adam Price opened the bowling with real purpose. Both deserved more reward than fortune allowed, although Pricey claimed a wicket and Jack returned outstanding figures of 8 overs, 2 maidens, 2 for 19. He should have had another too, had it not been for a comedy collision between Adam and Hugh that would have earned a replay on television and a few laughs in the pavilion afterwards.
Then came Steve Price again. Apparently deciding that top-scoring wasn't quite enough for one afternoon, he set about becoming the leading bowler as well. Hampered by a sore hamstring but refusing to let it spoil the fun, he produced a remarkable spell of 5 for 22 to swing the contest firmly back Ware's way.
The fielding matched the occasion. Chances were held, none better than Pete Dev's sharp catch in the slips. Carl produced a breathtaking diving stop at cover that saved precious runs, while Joel once again seemed to be everywhere at once, capping another outstanding display in the field.
Yet Harpenden refused to go quietly. With eight overs remaining they were still very much in the hunt, and the tension around the ground rose with every delivery. Hugh and Riz were entrusted with seeing the game home, nerves were tested, hearts raced, and Ware finally squeezed over the line by just four runs with three balls still remaining.
A scorching game on a scorching day, full of twists, character and no little skill. There are easier ways to spend a Saturday afternoon—but none quite so satisfying.
With the points safely tucked away, the victorious Ware side retired to the Ware Beer Festival, where the analysis became steadily more enthusiastic as the evening wore on.