Ware CC Sunday XI v Leyton Orient Supporters Club
Sunday 2nd August
There are few certainties in life: taxes, the British weather getting it wrong, and a Sunday in August meaning another long, sun-baked stint in the field. So it proved at Widford, where a delightfully eclectic Ware side—ranging in age from 12 to somewhere around 70 (we're being charitable there, Roger)—assembled under the watchful eye of skipper Dev. Winning the toss, and perhaps temporarily forgetting just how warm it was, he elected to field.
Before the cricket takes centre stage, everyone at Ware would like to send our very best wishes to Zac, who suffered a cracked collarbone after yet another wholehearted, fearless effort in the field. Get well soon, Zac—you'll be back causing batsmen problems before long.
Now, Leyton Orient Supporters Club brought along a batting line-up with more punch than a village fête cider tent, and they made merry on what was a lightning-fast, sun-scorched outfield. Yet Ware never let their standards slip. The fielding was sharp, energetic and committed throughout, refusing to surrender despite the oppressive heat.
With the ball, Maci and Suleiman were undoubtedly the stand-out performers, bowling with admirable control and intelligence. Zac opened the attack superbly before his unfortunate injury, Jack charged in tirelessly and, in keeping with what is becoming an unfortunate tradition, deserved rather more reward than the scorebook afforded him. Alex bowled with style and purpose, while Matt claimed the prized scalp of the dangerous number three.
Kev and Jamie continued their now well-established habit of finding ways into the wickets, Carl fizzed down his trademark left-arm darts with all the subtlety of a tax demand, and Roger—whose opening overs suggested the rusty gears of an old combine harvester—soon rediscovered his rhythm and looked every inch the seasoned campaigner.
The champagne moment, however, belonged to skipper Dev himself. Producing one that jaged back just enough, he sent the stumps of his old mate "Jumpers" cartwheeling in every direction. The celebration suggested this was a dismissal that may well be mentioned several times over a pint. Quite right too.
One of Dev's great strengths as captain is ensuring everyone plays their part. Every bowler was trusted, everyone contributed, and everyone remained fully involved—a hallmark of a proper Sunday side. A special mention also goes to Steve D, who courageously donned the gloves for the afternoon, a task requiring equal measures of bravery, optimism and strong knees.
Chasing a challenging total, Ware made a splendid start. Kev and Alex came out with positive intent, peppering the boundary ropes with some glorious strokeplay. Sadly, Kev's run of astonishingly bad fortune continued as he once again became the victim of an outrageous catch that probably had no business being taken. Alex looked intent on depositing one somewhere beyond Hertford, but alas succeeded only in finding fresh air.
Enter Jack, who treated the spectators to an exhilarating 36. It was an innings of clean striking, bold intent and the sort of carefree aggression that makes Sunday cricket such a joy to watch.
As wickets inevitably tumbled, young Suleiman once again demonstrated maturity well beyond his years. His composed and elegant 26 held the innings together, further reinforcing the growing belief that Ware have unearthed a genuine star in the making.
There were memorable contributions elsewhere too. Dave Green achieved what many had begun to think impossible by crashing a boundary—a moment greeted with almost as much enthusiasm as if he'd reached three figures. Steve then produced a wonderfully spirited cameo, sharing an excellent partnership with Maci, whose innings was full of class, timing and determination.
Roger and Jamie both landed a few late blows to keep hopes flickering, but the target always remained just beyond reach. In the end, Ware fell short, though never for want of effort, spirit or good humour.
So it goes down as a defeat on paper, but one of those thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoons that remind us why we all keep coming back. Fine company, competitive cricket, laughter aplenty and opponents who played the game in exactly the right spirit.
Finally, sincere thanks once again to Julian for producing another absolute belter of a pitch. On a baking August afternoon, it was a magnificent surface and a credit to all the hard work that goes into preparing it.

Match Report – Ware Cricket Club Men’s Second XI vs Holtwhites Trinibis Fourth XI (Away)

Yesterday we travelled to Holtwhites Trinibis for what proved to be one of the most entertaining games of the season. The weather was once again glorious, with sunshine and soaring temperatures providing the backdrop to another excellent afternoon of cricket.

In keeping with what has become something of a seasonal tradition, I lost the toss and was invited to bowl first. Fortunately, this proved to be no bad thing as the team immediately set about the task with energy, discipline, and real purpose.

Alex and Ben opened the bowling superbly. Both settled into excellent rhythms from the outset, bowling disciplined lines and making scoring extremely difficult. Alex finished his six overs with outstanding figures of 0 for 26, while Ben was even more miserly, conceding just 18 runs from his six overs. Although neither picked up a wicket, they laid the perfect foundation and ensured Holtwhites never really managed to establish early momentum.

The next phase belonged to Immy and Sam, who continued the excellent work. Bowling with confidence and intelligence, they began to make the breakthroughs that our opening bowlers had thoroughly deserved. Immy finished with 1 for 35 from eight overs, while Sam claimed 2 for 47 from his eight overs, both making valuable contributions as pressure steadily built on the batting side.

With Holtwhites looking to accelerate towards the end of their innings, it fell to Paul and myself to finish the bowling. As the required urgency increased, so too did the opportunities, and it was pleasing to see wickets beginning to fall as the batsmen were forced to take greater risks. I was fortunate enough to finish with 3 for 24 from six overs, while Paul bowled another excellent spell to return figures of 2 for 27 from his six overs.

The less said about the straightforward catch I managed to put down in my final over, the better. Instead, attention should rightly be given to the outstanding catch taken by Paul on the deep midwicket boundary. Having already watched the same batsman deposit an earlier delivery somewhere into the neighbouring back gardens, Paul judged the next opportunity perfectly and held on to an excellent catch to dismiss a dangerous player. It was a moment that was thoroughly appreciated by everyone wearing a Ware shirt.

At the end of their 40 overs, Holtwhites had posted 202 for 9, a total that represented an excellent effort from our bowlers and fielders alike.

Special mention must go to John, who fielded superbly throughout, but an extra special word of praise belongs to Henry. His energy on the boundary was nothing short of outstanding, saving what must have been at least 20 runs through determination, athleticism, and a refusal to allow the ball to reach the rope. Those efforts often go unnoticed on the scorecard, but they undoubtedly helped lay the foundations for what was to come.

After a welcome tea interval, it was our turn to bat.

The chase did not begin entirely according to plan, with a couple of early wickets leaving us needing to rebuild. Fortunately, Ben and Sam came together at exactly the right moment. Showing maturity well beyond the situation, they calmly steadied the innings and gradually wrestled the momentum back in our favour.

Together they added a magnificent 99-run partnership, built on sensible shot selection, excellent running between the wickets, and the patience to wait for scoring opportunities. Ben eventually departed for a well-crafted 41 while looking to accelerate, an innings that provided exactly the stability we needed.

Alex then joined Sam at the crease and continued the excellent work. Sam, in particular, produced an outstanding innings, playing some delightful strokes all around the wicket. The highlight was undoubtedly a glorious flick off his legs that sailed effortlessly over the boundary for six.

Cruelly, with a deserved century within touching distance, Sam was caught on the boundary for 94 by a genuinely excellent catch. It was one of those moments that leaves everyone wondering what might have been, and although disappointing for Sam personally, it was an innings of the highest quality that gave Ware every chance of victory.

With new batsmen at the crease, the game swung first one way and then the other. Holtwhites continued to bowl disciplined lines, attacking the stumps and making scoring increasingly difficult. Over the closing overs, the momentum ebbed and flowed between the two sides, and it became almost impossible to predict who would emerge victorious. The spectators certainly seemed to be finding the experience considerably more nerve-racking than those in the middle.

As the final over began, Ware required eight runs for victory.

Dom and Nav remained at the crease, calm despite the tension surrounding them. After some sharp running, Nav managed to squirm a delivery away to the deep midwicket boundary for four, immediately swinging the momentum back in our favour. Suddenly the equation became far more manageable.

Two runs were required from the final ball.

Following an extended period of tactical rearrangement from the Holtwhites captain, the plan became wonderfully simple: guide the ball towards the slowest fielder available and run as though your cricketing life depended on it.

Dom executed the plan to perfection, delicately tickling the ball down towards third man. A slight fumble in the field was all that was needed, and Dom and Nav completed the second run comfortably to spark jubilant celebrations.

The victory was ours.

Players and supporters spilled onto the outfield to celebrate a thoroughly deserved win that had been earned through teamwork, determination, and belief from the very first ball of the day.

After several weeks of coming desperately close, it was immensely satisfying to see all of the hard work finally rewarded. Every player made a contribution, whether with bat, ball, or in the field, and that collective effort was ultimately the difference.

We worked as a team. We bowled as a team. We fielded as a team. We batted as a team.

Most importantly of all, we won as a team.