Ware Twos Review of the Season
The twos have had a mixed season this year but I think we end it in a better position than we started it. The first few weeks were tough with big defeats against Wheathampstead, Old Albanians and Potters Bar where we really struggled to score enough runs to give our bowlers a chance to get in the game.
In the next few games against Harpenden and Old Camdenians we started taking some wickets and so putting points on the board. Then at Shenley a number of people got a good bat and you could tell we were making progress as a team.
Our big moment was the first game against Tewin where a good bowling performance kept them down to a competitive 175 on a small pitch. Pete Dev and Aaron Taylor gave us a great start and Nick Griffin had good support from a number of people to take it down to the last over and then hit 2 fours to win it for us. Our fielding had really improved too and lots of people contributed.
The following week against Botany Bay we got agonisingly close, needing a 4 off the final over but not quite managing it with our last pair in and so losing by 2.
After the England quarter final weekend we went to Preston and thought 212 was going to be enough to win easily, particularly when we had them 7 down quite early. However they had shifted their batting order around and so it came down to the last over again, with Joel taking the catch off Imran to tie the game.
Against Old Albanians Kev Meakin’s 97 on his guest appearance saw us win well.
The match against Potter Bar was a real highlight. They were top of the league and we bowled really well to keep them down to 161 with Fred Devonshire-Helps, Imran Khan, Fahad Mohammed and Nick Griffin all taking wickets. We started well but looked like we were a bit behind the run rate until Fahad came in and scored 27 in no time at all to win it for us.
After a couple of poorer results it was Tewin again and another victory in the last over, Andy Milton’s 63 and Ben Compton and Imran Khan taking 3 wickets each to seal it. Then in the last week at Botany Bay we knew a win would keep us up but couldn’t quite do it, which was really disappointing.
My top 3 personal highlights from the season:
Nick’s two fours in the last over to win the game at Tewin
Joel’s catch off Imran to tie the game at Preston
Fahad’s innings at Potters Bar to win the game for us
We have used 34 players this season so big thanks to Steve Risby for organising selection and getting us 11 most weeks. Thanks also to all those who helped with teas, in particular Jo Griffin who has done a lot of washing up and clearing up alongside providing some great teas this year.
Thanks to those who have played regularly – Imran, Fahad, Jamie Don, Hugh Andrews, Joel Pattison, Nick, Fred, Aaron, Ben Compton, Martin Watson, Sarjoon Mohammed and Ben Kimpton have made the most appearances for the twos this year and have all contributed hugely in different ways.