Warren Simmons

Achievements:

• Cup Match Captain for Somerset: Led the team with distinction in the 1910s and 1920s.

• Prolific Bowler: Held the record for most wickets in Cup Match history with 94, a record later surpassed only by Alec "Cocky" Steede and Clarence Parfitt.

• Pioneering Batsman: First Somerset player to score 1,000 runs in a single season; scored 517 runs in Cup Match, a record at the time of his retirement.

• Record-Setting Performance in 1922: Achieved a match record of 13 wickets for 39 runs, which was later broken on the same day.

• Successful Captain: One of the most successful Somerset captains, second only to Calvin "Bummy" Symonds of St. George’s in terms of victories.

• Legacy of Excellence: Part of a cricketing dynasty with his son Lloyd Simmons and grandson Randy Horton, both of whom have made significant contributions to Bermuda cricket.

Biography:

Warren Simmons, a formidable figure in Bermuda cricket, rightfully takes his place in the Hall of Fame. Known for his medium pace bowling and his reliable late-order batting, Simmons was a dominant force for Somerset in the 1910s and 1920s, particularly against St. George’s.

Starting his cricket journey, Simmons quickly became known for his square cut-off drive and powerful shoulder hits. His partnership with Alma "Champ" Hunt, especially their 8th wicket stand of 90 runs in 1930, remains legendary. Though he retired with a batting average of 13.26 and a total of 517 runs, these statistics do not fully capture his prowess, especially considering the challenging batting conditions of his era, with many surfaces being cinders or clay.

Simmons set numerous records during his career. His 517 runs in Cup Match were the most by any player at the time of his retirement, and he was the first Somerset player to score 1,000 runs in a single season. In 1922, he set a then-record for an innings with 7 for 16 and a match record with 13 for 39, although Alec "Cocky" Steede would later surpass these feats. Nonetheless, Simmons retired with an impressive 94 wickets in Cup Match, a record that stood until Steede and later Clarence Parfitt eclipsed it.

Remarkably, no Somerset bowler has come close to Simmons's wicket total, with his son Lloyd Simmons being the next highest Somerset wicket-taker at 76. Together, the father-son duo hold the record for the most combined wickets by a father-son pair in Cup Match history, totaling 170 wickets.

Simmons's tenure as Somerset captain was marked by significant success. Under his leadership, Somerset saw numerous victories, making him the most successful captain for Somerset. His leadership and skills were further demonstrated in the 1918 match, where he helped dismiss St. George's for a mere 28 runs in the first innings. In 1930, Simmons finally achieved a half-century in Cup Match, scoring an aggressive 54 runs.

Warren Simmons's cricket legacy extends beyond his personal achievements. His cricketing genes were passed down to his son Lloyd Simmons and his grandson Randy Horton, both of whom have left their mark on Bermuda cricket. Simmons’s impact on the game, his records, and his contributions to Somerset and Bermuda cricket ensure that his legacy will endure for generations.

Legacy:

Warren Simmons’s contributions to Bermuda cricket are monumental. His records and leadership helped shape the sport on the island, and his legacy is carried on through his descendants and the countless players he inspired. Known for his fierce competitiveness and remarkable skills, Simmons remains a towering figure in Bermuda’s cricket history, celebrated for his achievements and his lasting impact on the sport.