Ware CC. Ware CC.
Match Report Date 03/08/2025 Oppo Ware CC (a) Type 35 Overs Report by Ollie Buck Fresh from the disappointment of Sir Jack’s captaincy debut the week before, LOSCC arrived in the picturesque Hertfordshire town of Ware, looking to get back to winning ways under the captaincy of Vice Skipper, Andy Hudson (Hudders/Huddo/Hudso/Hudson River/Jaffa the Hud). As The O’s rolled into the most beautiful and quaint Farmhouse, come cottage, come cricket pavilion, The Mayor of Ware, Mark ‘Jumper’ Johnson could be seen behind enemy lines, getting chummy with his fellow Ware-ians. Anyone would have thought he was turning out for Ware that day, but Skipper Hudson grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and reminded him where his bread was buttered and dragged him into the away dressing room. “Right lads, the grownups are back, time for a proper game of cricket”, Hudson proclaimed, and with that said, Andy won the toss and elected to bat first and sent the grown-est of all men out, Big Al out to open the batting alongside whipper snapper Alex Baker-Merry. The O’s made a slow, no, sluggish, no… crawling start to the innings, scoring just 8 runs off the first 5 overs. This was much to Alex’s frustration, looking for lots of quick singles off of some smart shots, but with the ball a mere few hundred yards from the wicket and Alan ‘The Wall’ Syrett up the other end, these could be not risked. “It’s me plantar fasciitis Alex, I’m just getting my eye in, and I’ll crack on in a second… boundaries only!”. Scoring did pick up… somewhat, and as drinks rolled around, the O’s were 102 up, with both opening Batsmen still at the crease with Alex Baker-Merry already on his club best score and fast approaching 50. With all Ware players bowling 4 overs, Big Al was confident that after drinks, he would most certainly be ‘cracking on’, and as they returned to the crease, he certainly did crack on. Unfortunately, this spelt bad news for Liam Mulholland who was out umpiring, as Alan cracked on with one of his 4 boundary scoring shots striking Liam square on his spinal chord, which, does raise suspicions following Alan’s outburst at Eastons a few weeks back over Liam’s lack of enthusiasm for catching, that Alan might have been aiming for the LOSCC veteran… all hearsay of course. Alex BM quickly totted up his 50*, to the rapturous applause of the pavilion, and as he crossed path with his incoming brother, he could be heard giving it out, “Yeah, I’m only one 50 behind you now mate, and don’t forget that POTY award, where’s yours?”. With Syrett eventually struck on the pads, he was given out for LBW, on a score of 35 off of 126 balls, and in came the middle order, to actually crack on! Jack Baker-Merry scored a tidy 29 with plenty of boundaries fairly quickly, before an exceptional caught and bowled from Ware’s Issitt, with a nonchalant, one handed catch on a shot that looked destined for the boundary. Mark Johnson made 15 runs, and J. Hayes, P. Elby, and F. Daji added 14 runs in the little time they had, leaving The O’s on 181 from their innings. The Mayor of Ware and his merry men then re-treated to the cottage to lay out the tea, where Mark was proudly unwrapping his artisan, smoked ham and English mustard on a farmhouse white loaf. Both sets of players enjoyed an exceptionally hospitable tea. The most hospitality of course going to Big Al, who had employed Overseas Aussie bowler Felix Daji as his personal tea boy. “Extra strong tea please Daji, bag squeezed for 5 seconds, stirred anti clockwise, 16ml of milk… hold the sugar”. The Aussie will get to grips with the tea culture one day. Following from Wares’ lead, The O’s shared the bowling across 8 of their players, with Daji opening the bowling, and taking just the one wicket off of a very strong opening order of batsmen for Ware. Liam took the ball in hand from the other end, however, could only manage a couple of overs before having to retire to the farmhouse for an early shower and a cold beer with a ‘sore back’ following from Alan’s targeted attack in the first innings. With most O’s players bowling 4 overs, John Hayes delivered one of his most economical spells for The O’s, taking one wicket (the same amount as Felix Daji). Ollie Buck also, despite bowling filth took one wicket (the same amount as Felix Daji), and Andy Hudson and Alan Syrett also took one wicket each (the same amount as Felix Daji). It really was a friendly fixture, and even LOSCC legend took off his wicket-keeping gear to take a bowl. Jack Baker-Merry took over behind the stumps and disappeared into the cottage to get ready for what can only be described as ‘an eternity’ with The O’s now down to NINE men. But as Jack returned, and Danny stepped up to bowl, the fear was struck into the heart of the Ware batsmen, and of course, just like clockwork, Danny picked up one wicket (the same amount as Felix Daji), with a fine catch from Alex B.M on the boundary. Ware saw out their innings, scoring the winning runs within 32 overs, and both sets of players retreated to the pavilion for the friendliest of friendly post-match drinks. The Mayor of Ware Mark Johnson also reported later that evening, his town-folk and subjects were seen partying late into the night, celebrating the massive scalp that is LOSCC. What a day, and what a fixture! Same time again next year Ware?
Return to Main Page
© Dave Revell