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Week 12
Steve Risby
Gloomy day as the 2s need to concede
Ware CC Away to Stevenage – Sun, Sweat and Satire
A short pilgrimage across the A602 on a glorious, sun-drenched July afternoon saw Ware arrive at Stevenage, where the outfield resembled a nature reserve more than a cricket ground. Between the scorched grass, assorted detritus, rats in the hedgerow and what can only be described as an ambitious quantity of fox droppings, it was clear the local wildlife had enjoyed the surface long before either side did.
With several players missing, skipper Kev lost the toss, thereby continuing the captain's proud tradition of getting the difficult jobs out of the way early. Ware were sent into the field and immediately settled into what became another display of bowling that deserved far more than the scorebook would ultimately suggest.
The afternoon wasn't without its administrative challenges. Play was first delayed by twenty minutes after the startling revelation that cricket is, in fact, much easier with match balls. Just when normal service appeared to have resumed, proceedings were interrupted again when a local super cha(v)p wandered straight across the pitch during play. Ever the sportsman, Kev engaged him in conversation, generously extending the match by another ten minutes for the benefit of everyone watching... or at least everyone not watching the cricket.
Once the interruptions subsided, Ware's bowlers got to work. They bowled with discipline and determination but, as has become something of a theme this season, reward was often in short supply. Jack was particularly unfortunate, repeatedly beating the bat without quite getting the breakthrough his bowling deserved. Every bowler chipped in with wickets, however, while the fielding was first class throughout.
Alex Willis produced the highlight of the innings with a magnificent boundary catch that looked destined for four until he decided otherwise. He backed that up with an excellent all-round fielding display, while Tilbey and Alex Smith seemed to be everywhere at once, saving runs with tireless energy. Steve Price also held on to a superb caught-and-bowled, despite the squad receiving the worrying news that George had been injured. Everyone at Ware wishes George a speedy recovery.
Stevenage eventually posted over 200, a total that always looked likely to require one of Ware's better batting performances.
The reply began brightly enough. Adam Price and Tom Parker once again demonstrated that opening partnerships are still legal, putting on another fifty together. Adam compiled an excellent half-century, full of positive stroke play and sensible batting.
Unfortunately, the rest of the innings adopted a rather different strategy. Wickets tumbled with alarming regularity, momentum disappeared quicker than the match balls had earlier in the afternoon, and Ware's resistance slowly evaporated. Risby even found himself facing two hat-trick deliveries, which is never ideal for one's blood pressure. Eventually the innings folded for 130.
Defeat, then, but plenty of positives to take from another wholehearted display in the field, if not quite enough with the bat. The day's most convincing victory was ultimately secured by the evening breeze and cold refreshments at the Crooked Billet, where we retired to cool down, rehydrate and no doubt agree that cricket is a far simpler game when everyone remembers to brings match balls and a non healthy hazard outfield, oh for the calm serenity of Widford
A short pilgrimage across the A602 on a glorious, sun-drenched July afternoon saw Ware arrive at Stevenage, where the outfield resembled a nature reserve more than a cricket ground. Between the scorched grass, assorted detritus, rats in the hedgerow and what can only be described as an ambitious quantity of fox droppings, it was clear the local wildlife had enjoyed the surface long before either side did.
With several players missing, skipper Kev lost the toss, thereby continuing the captain's proud tradition of getting the difficult jobs out of the way early. Ware were sent into the field and immediately settled into what became another display of bowling that deserved far more than the scorebook would ultimately suggest.
The afternoon wasn't without its administrative challenges. Play was first delayed by twenty minutes after the startling revelation that cricket is, in fact, much easier with match balls. Just when normal service appeared to have resumed, proceedings were interrupted again when a local super cha(v)p wandered straight across the pitch during play. Ever the sportsman, Kev engaged him in conversation, generously extending the match by another ten minutes for the benefit of everyone watching... or at least everyone not watching the cricket.
Once the interruptions subsided, Ware's bowlers got to work. They bowled with discipline and determination but, as has become something of a theme this season, reward was often in short supply. Jack was particularly unfortunate, repeatedly beating the bat without quite getting the breakthrough his bowling deserved. Every bowler chipped in with wickets, however, while the fielding was first class throughout.
Alex Willis produced the highlight of the innings with a magnificent boundary catch that looked destined for four until he decided otherwise. He backed that up with an excellent all-round fielding display, while Tilbey and Alex Smith seemed to be everywhere at once, saving runs with tireless energy. Steve Price also held on to a superb caught-and-bowled, despite the squad receiving the worrying news that George had been injured. Everyone at Ware wishes George a speedy recovery.
Stevenage eventually posted over 200, a total that always looked likely to require one of Ware's better batting performances.
The reply began brightly enough. Adam Price and Tom Parker once again demonstrated that opening partnerships are still legal, putting on another fifty together. Adam compiled an excellent half-century, full of positive stroke play and sensible batting.
Unfortunately, the rest of the innings adopted a rather different strategy. Wickets tumbled with alarming regularity, momentum disappeared quicker than the match balls had earlier in the afternoon, and Ware's resistance slowly evaporated. Risby even found himself facing two hat-trick deliveries, which is never ideal for one's blood pressure. Eventually the innings folded for 130.
Defeat, then, but plenty of positives to take from another wholehearted display in the field, if not quite enough with the bat. The day's most convincing victory was ultimately secured by the evening breeze and cold refreshments at the Crooked Billet, where we retired to cool down, rehydrate and no doubt agree that cricket is a far simpler game when everyone remembers to brings match balls and a non healthy hazard outfield, oh for the calm serenity of Widford
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