Kev lost the toss and Tewin put us in to bat. The new opening partnership of Simon and Aftab almost achieved our first objective of beating last week’s total score but then we slipped to 33 for 4 after a flurry of early wickets. Sam and Dom Compton played nicely to steady the ship but then again we lost four more wickets quite close together and were struggling on 80-8. However this bought Jack and Jamie together and they put together a superb 50 partnership before Jamie was out in the last over for 17. Jack finished top scorer, not out 38, with some magnificent blows. This gave us a respectable total of 134 all out from our 40 overs. In reply Tewin really struggled to score runs at any great pace due to some really tight bowling from Steve Price and Jack, then Sam and Kev. After 20 overs they were 67 for 2, right on track for runs but with wickets in hand. Kev then got rid of their top scorer with a great stumping from Jamie and Hugh Reid weighed in with 3 wickets including a second stumping for Jamie as we tried everything to take wickets. Eventually Tewin crept over the line in the 39th over but a good all round performance

Match Report – Ware Cricket Club Men’s XI vs Hertford, Saturday 16th May 2026

So we arrived at Hertford Cricket Club with the inevitable promise of rain lurking somewhere in the afternoon forecast. The clouds were grey, the sky overcast, and the two captains made their way to inspect just how green the pitch was before conducting the toss. To my surprise, I lost the toss again but, nevertheless, the Hertford captain elected to bat, which is exactly what I would have done had I won the toss, so I am counting that as a moral victory.

Eventually, the Hertford batsmen made their way to the middle after a slight delay caused by one or more of them experiencing a delayed release from their homes. It is fair to say that the average age of the Hertford XI was both surprisingly and significantly higher than that of the Ware XI.

We set about our work with Alex opening the bowling and immediately being rewarded with a wicket, brilliantly caught by Jem in sharp reactionary fashion, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Alex struck again in his second over, with another superb catch, this time from Jem. What followed was a brief period of resistance from the Hertford batsmen, who dug in admirably and survived four excellent overs from Alex, supported by eight equally impressive overs from Immy, who deserved far more reward than figures of none for 16.

It was not until the 15th over, with Hertford on 30, that the next wicket fell, another excellent catch, this time taken by Alex off the bowling of Steve Risby. The catching throughout the innings was exceptional and undoubtedly set the standard in the field.

It is fair to say that Hertford never looked likely to score at great speed, but the excellent catching continued throughout the innings. Carl held onto two superb catches, Matt took two excellent catches behind the stumps, and Steve Risby claimed another outstanding catch to secure the tenth wicket. Eight of the ten wickets fell to catches, something of which I am immensely proud. The enthusiasm in the field was contagious, and everybody chased hard and worked tirelessly to restrict Hertford to just 95 all out, with the final wicket falling in the 34th over.

Everyone bowled well, but the pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly Darren Norman, who claimed 3 wickets for just 3 runs from 3.4 overs. A notable mention also goes to Jem, who bowled superbly to finish with 2 for 19 from his four overs. Some bloke called Unwin managed 2 wickets for 7 runs from his four overs as well.

After consuming ham and cheese sandwiches with a side of pickled onions beneath a majestic oak tree, it was our turn to bat.

The opening pair of Tom Parker and Alex Smith set about their task with a pleasing combination of patience and flamboyance, putting away anything loose with considerable ease. After five overs, Ware were 26 for 1, with Alex unfortunately losing his wicket to some decidedly average bowling.

This brought Unwin to the crease and, together with Parker, he continued the momentum with another productive spell of batting. Despite the regular boundaries, the pair were equally willing to push hard for quick singles, notably managing four in a single over.

Tom eventually lost his wicket in the 10th over after a brief lapse in concentration, but not before making a valuable contribution to the score. Young Matt then arrived at the crease and immediately showed good composure and shot selection, dispatching the bad ball appropriately.

By the 12th over, Ware had reached 68 in pursuit of victory when Unwin was trapped LBW, bringing Immy to the crease for a brief cameo appearance before the main event arrived.

Jem came to the crease with Ware requiring 18 runs for victory and promptly began dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. With only one run needed to win, Jem was clearly de