Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI v Berkhamsted II on Sat 02 Sep 2006 at 12.30 meet 11.00
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club Won 89 runs
Ware hosted Berkhamstead in a top of the table clash, with Ware needing to win to overhaul Berkhamstead. Several days of rain had left the pitch very wet and unappealing for batting, and so it was a crucial toss that was won by Berkhamstead and they had no hesitation in electing to bowl.
This decision was very quickly vindicated as the usually reliable Ware top order failed as the home side slumped to 40/5. Wayne Langton (29) and Paddy Butcher (33) provided a stubborn partnership, displaying patience and aggression in balance, as they added 58 valuable runs for the sixth wicket. When the pair departed in quick succession, the only further resistance came in the form of a cameo from Simon Green (13) as Ware were dismissed for 124.
While disappointed with their total, Ware knew that the pitch was difficult to bat on, and took the field with positive determination - against a Berkhamstead batting line-up that had not been dismissed for under 200 this season. William Jones and Daren Patel opened the bowling, concentrating on getting the ball in the right place and letting the pitch do the work. With the ball moving consistently off the pitch, Ware made quick inroads by removing two danger men - Steve Tougher falling LBW to Jones and David Sherjan run out following some excellent fielding by Simon Green. When Jones removed the off stump three times in quick succession to reduce Berkhanstead to 29/5, only the the stubborn opener David Chrispin stood between Ware and victory.
After Chrispin finally fell for 20, edging a Patel delivery onto his stumps, Ware held on to some good catches to remove the remaining batsmen that stood in their way, and dismissed Berkhamstead for just 35 runs in 33.4 overs. Ware's opening pair bowled throughout the innings – Jones taking 7 for 17 and Patel finishing with 2 for 17.
The win means that Ware leapt to the top of Division Six, and a home win against Watford town on Saturday will secure them the title.
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
124 for 10
Berkhamsted II Bowling
Berkhamsted II Batting
35 for 10
Ware (Old Hertfordians) Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling
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Umpire :
Mike Vaughan
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Scorer :