 The team acquitted themselves well, finishing in tenth place, with six wins under their belt, and Ward with three half-centuries, his first coming in the first match of the season, against Somerset.This score of 71 was the highest score of his season, not bettered until he scored his first of two career centuries, against Derbyshire in May 1896.Ward was a frequent participant in the 1896 County Championship season, leading the Hampshire attack, along with former Middlesex player, and future Hampshire captain, Charles Robson, who was also the secretary/manager of Southampton Football Club.