The 2025 cricket season for Wargrave 4th and 5th XIs began in picturesque style on Saturday as the club’s main square hosted a lively internal warm-up match between Tom (Tabrah)'s Tornadoes and Dave (Jeary)’s Dynamos (taking their pick of the teams they captain). What started as a warm and sunny afternoon descended into a darker, chillier end—but the cricket remained hotly contested throughout, with Tom’s Tornadoes eventually securing a narrow 11-run victory.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Tom’s Tornadoes were given a brisk start by their captain Tom Tabrah. Playing with characteristic flair, the skipper struck ten boundaries on his way to a composed 53 from 40 balls before retiring to give others a chance. Though Jasmer Gill fell cheaply to a sharp caught-and-bowled by Laurence Neall, runs flowed steadily from the top and middle order.

Kit Jeary (13), Laurie Handcock (18), and Angus Bryers (24) all contributed valuable runs, with Bryers especially eye-catching in his strokeplay before a smart piece of fielding from Kit Jeary led to his run-out. Adey Pagdin scratched around for seven before falling to the impressive Advik Gupta, who picked up two wickets in a tidy spell. But the standout late knock came from Jack Whitehead, whose quickfire 41 not out (off 26 balls) provided vital impetus in the closing overs. With 33 extras added to the tally, Tom’s Tornadoes closed their innings on 194 for 6 from the allotted 35 overs.

In reply, Dave’s Dynamos were quickly into stride thanks to a fluent 25 from opener Advik Gupta, who found the boundary five times before edging behind to the keeper off Angus Bryers. The veteran Dave Jeary, leading the side with a blend of calmness and guile, compiled a solid 29 before falling LBW to Gill. At 77 for 3, Dave’s Dynamos looked well placed, especially as Oliver Pagdin (36) and Laurence Neall (25 off just 15 balls) combined to lift the run rate.

However, the return of angus Bryers (3-16) and introduction of Kit Jeary (2-25) pegged things back. The Dynamos’ middle order faltered under pressure, losing wickets in clumps. Despite Cooper Robinson’s resilient 21 and a brave late effort from Freddie Tabrah, the chase faltered as tight overs from Gill and Whitehead restricted the scoring.

The match remained finely poised into the final overs. With just 12 needed from the last six balls and two wickets in hand, Dave’s Dynamos dared to dream. But Kit Jeary and Laurie Handcock held their nerve, conceding only a handful of runs as Tom’s Tornadoes celebrated a thrilling victory—one that offered promise and purpose for all the players heading into the League season.

Though a friendly in name, the match was played with healthy intensity and no shortage of quality. For Tom’s Tornadoes, the composure of their skipper and the all-round strength of their bowling unit stood out. Dave’s Dynamos, meanwhile, will take heart from a strong batting performance that came within touching distance of a successful chase.

With the Wargrave square in splendid early-season condition and the crowd enjoying an afternoon of cricketing drama, this curtain-raiser offered much to savour. As the shadows lengthened and the temperature dipped, spirits remained high—a sign, perhaps, that both Wargrave CC 4th and 5th XIs will be forces to watch this summer.