Windsor 2nd XI vs Hayes 1st XI 19.7.2008

Hayes 278-8 52 Overs

Funnel 54
Kumar 66

A. Hill 4-60

Windsor 251-7 48 Overs

H. Chana 75

Windsor entertained Hayes on a bright and blustery afternoon at the Home Park in confident mood off the back of 2 victories and the arrival of overseas player Glen Du Preez. Conditions looked ideal for batting with the wicket looking hard and flat and the outfield resembling a billiard table. With Huggins back at the helm after wedding duties the previous week it was normal service resumed at the toss and Hayes had no hesitation in opting to bat first.

Du Preez and Hill were entrusted with the new ball but both found the going tough as the Hayes openers threw the bat at anything wide or over pitched and the score board quickly rattled along. It was the introduction of Hartridge that brought about the break through as he trapped Forey LBW for 20 to leave the score at 62 for 1. What ensued was a period of play that ebbed and flowed as runs were added quickly with wickets continuing to fall. Next to go was the dangerous M. Green who after a couple of crisp drives pulled a long hop to Malik at square leg to depart for 10 off the bowling of Hill. Next up was Ramneth who chanced his arm squeezing a couple of boundaries away behind square off the bowling of Hartridge. However, his expansive stroke play soon brought about his down fall as he drilled a full toss to Kellard at mid off who made no mistake as he departed for 21.

Windsor next picked up the wicket the key wicket of S. Green for 40 bowled as Hill managed to squeeze his fourth successive yorker through his defences. At this point Windsor were clawing their way back into the game with the score at 117 for 4. Two more quick wicket fell as Wallis was well held by Chana for 13 off the bowling of Hill followed by Frost who was deceived by a Du Preez slower ball and Windsor were looking well on top with the score at 129-6.

With the wicket still playing flat and true and the Windsor bowling attack still offering plenty of scoring opportunities Funnel and Kumar set about rebuilding the Hayes innings. Both rotated the strike well taking quick singles due some complacent Windsor fielding and as both grew in confidence they started to find the boundary with increasing regularity as they started to take the game to Windsor.

The bowling was rotated, but none of the Windsor bowlers could find the break through that was required as the Hayes batsman started to take the game away from Windsor. The next wicket came courtesy of a run out after some good work in the deep by Du Preez as Funnel departed for 54 with score on 233 and Hayes were well placed for massive total. Morgan came to the crease and provided able support for Kumar who stepped up the scoring rubbing further salt into the wound after been dropped striking Malik’s next ball for a towering 6. Malik finally got his man though off the last ball of the innings as he was well held by Riches at long on for 66 as the innings closed on 278 from 52 overs.

Windsor faced a daunting task if they were to win the game, but with the side stacked with batting they knew that they could get there if they batted well.

Openers Chana and Paul Huggins got the Windsor innings off to a steady start as Hayes opted for the old ball and opened with spinner M. Green from one end. As both got there eyes in the scoring started to accelerate aided by the new ball been taken. With the score on 74 in the 18th over Huggins was the first to go for 33 stumped off the bowling of Green as he overstretched. Riches and Chana continued to move the score along with some classy stroke play from Chana supported by brutal aggression from Riches. Disaster struck in the 27th over though as Riches was bowled for 22 by Kumar and was then quickly followed by Malik for 2 to leave the score at 125 for 3. Mark Huggins was the next in and was quickly into his stride as Windsor continued their pursuit. Chana was the next to go adjudged LBW for 75 off the bowling of Kumar.

Huggins was then joined by Millman and together they continued with some good stroke play as Windsor looked as if they would get themselves in a position to have a real go at the Hayes total. However, Huggins fell for 33 bowled by Wayland and Millman followed closely for 23 caught and bowled by Green to leave Windsor 206-6 at the end of the 40th over. With Hartridge and Du Preez at the crease Windsor were still in with a shout. Hartridge perished though for a quick fire 18 caught and bowled by Green and Windsor decided to call off the chase with the score at 221 for 7 at the end of the 42nd over with no further bonus points to be claimed and not wanting to give Hayes the win. Du Preez and Hill comfortably batted out time as the Windsor innings finished on 251-7 at the end of the 48th over. Du Preez finishing 13 not out and Hill 18 not out.

A draw was a fair result with Hayes taking 13 points to Windsor’s 9. The batsman gave a good account of themselves, however, they were left with a little too much to do after a ragged bowling and fielding performance in which 34 extras were conceded. With Windsor travelling to second placed OMT next week the bowlers will need to rediscover their discipline if Windsor are to compete and with any one down to 6th place still in a position to push for promotion every game now becomes a big game if Windsor want to maintain their position at the top of the tree.

Windsor back on track

Wooburn Narkovians 155 all out (50 overs) Rogers 49, Edge 4 for 43, Kellard 4 for 11

lost to

Windsor 2 159 - 4 (33.4 overs) Malik 78*, Riches 48

With quite a few changes from the week before due to unavailability's, and with poor convoying skills, the Windsor 2nds all drove different ways for the short journey to Wooburn! After some cross country driving, found the covers to have been stolen mid week and therefore the pitch to be damp and soft to say the least. Vice captain Hill, standing in for Huggins won the toss and duly elected to bowl first, to see what sort of total Wooburn could post on what looked to be a track that would trouble the batsmen early doors

Being told he was running down the track after his first delivery, and therefore having to adjust his run up caused Hill some early line problems, but managed to snag Lees wicket in the 3rd over with a clean catch off a ball that popped off the wicket to mid off. Immediately both Hill and Hartridge got bounce lift and swing with the overcast conditions, but the Wooburn opening bat Rogers and number 3 Tennant were not looking to build a steady innings and looked to push hard at anything just outside off or overpitched. With a fair amount of shots being hit in the air, the ball seemed to be chasing new player Ward around the pitch, with potential catches simply not carrying. Wooburn were rattling away at 44-1 off the first 10. After Hartridges 7 permitted overs with no breakthrough, Davis was brought into the attack to start to dry up some of the runs due to his wicket to wicket approach that Hill hoped would build some pressure. With no more wickets coming Hill's way, veteran Edge was brought on, but struggled in his first 5 deliveries to find the ideal length, but on the last ball bowled A Tennant. In the next 12 overs the runs did start to dry up as both bowlers found the wicket to be in their favour and gave the batsmen some things to think about. Some deliveries were keeping low and some were popping off a length. Davis eventually got Cuthbert to push at a drive that didn't clear Hill running round at mid off. M Tennant pushed the ball about giving some life towards the end of the Wooburn innings, but the tight lines really kept building the pressure. Edge also broke through 3 more times in his spell to end on 4 - 43 off 15 overs. Davis toiled well and really is becoming the all rounder he didn't want to become, going for 32- 1 off 12!. Hill knew that the Wooburn batsmen had to go after the ball in the last 12 overs as there score was only 118-6 and brought young spinner Kellard, back from holidays, into the attack in the 50th over. M Tennant, Barker, Small and Aslam were all victims of moving down the wicket to Kellard and being bowled or stumped. Kellard, whose flight and line was excellent finished on 4-11 off 5! Wooburn got to the 150 mark in the 50th over when the last wicket fell on 155, giving Windsor 2 extra overs to chase the low target.

After a fantastic tea, (from a cancelled BBQ the night before) Windsor went out in a positive frame of mind to attack the low score and Chana, scoring a neat single off the first ball was unlucky to be run out off the 2nd ball as k Condon drove a crisp drive back to the bowler who skillfully flicked the ball onto the stumps and Chana was clearly out of his ground backing up. Riches then cam into the fray and decided to carefully take a good look at the pitch with Condon and scored slowly for the first 7 overs, but didn't take any risks either. M Tennant, the Wooburn opening bowler, found the same popping and lifting wicket as Windsor and this caused Condon to be bowled in the 7th over after a very tight opening spell. Riches started to find he could drive the ball with more confidence and him and Malik got Windsor to 34 in the 10th over when it started to rain. Play was stopped for 25 mins and Malik and Riches kept attacking the bad ball and paying due respect to the good balls. It wasn't until the 24th over, where Windsor were on 112, that Riches, having done all the hard work against Tennants accurate seam and Aslam's controlled spin, tried one sweep too many off Aslam and topped edged with his score on 48. Ward and Davis came out to offer support to Malik, and backed up well and pushed some singles around. Ward was run out, with Malik loosing concentration for a split second, and Davis ended up not out. Malik at the other end was brutal, hitting five 6's and four 4's in his impressive and controlled 78 not out, and hit the winning runs with a huge 6 into the trees.

Windsor approached the match with a positive attitude given the scale of the changes to the team the week before, and attacked the game well on a wet wicket. Some fielding was a little poor and Windsor must concentrate on this part of their game this week to ensure all catches stay caught and must apply pressure on the singles close to the wicket. All in all a solid effort for a well deserved 20 points

Windsor 2nd XI vs Finchampstead 3rd XI 5.7.2008

Windsor 202-6 52 Overs

H. Chana 62
A. Weston 51

Finchampstead 176 All Out 46 Overs

M. Lines 6-50

After a stormy morning the clouds subsided to provide a warm, but blustery setting at the Home Park as Windsor entertained Finch 3’s. The afternoon started well for Windsor as Skipper Huggins finally won his second toss of the season and opted to bat first on what appeared to be a firm flat track.

The new look opening partnership of Nair and Chana were watchful to start with as the Finch openers found some early movement with the new ball. Nair was the first man out though for 5 as he was yorked by Smith. This brought skipper Huggins to the crease who appeared to be in no mood to hang about as he struck his 3rd and 4th balls to the boundary. After a couple more boundaries off the bowling of Smith he was replaced by Clarke who together with Jubb slowed the run rate with some disciplined bowling. Despite this Huggins and Chana managed to keep the score board ticking with some good running and putting away the occasional bad ball.

Windsor were well placed for a good total reaching 70-1 in the 22nd over. However, Huggins departed caught behind for 31 off the Clarke bringing Malik to the crease. On this occasion Malik’s stay was a brief one as he was pinned LBW by Rose for 2. Next up was the returning Mark Lines who looked to be in fine touch with some crashing cover drives mixed with some deft flicks into the leg side. His promising start was brought to an end as he was well held at mid on off the bowling of Rose for 18 and the Windsor innings was in the balance at 103-4 in the 31st over. Weston was up next returning from injury and was slow to start as he struggled to adjust to the variable pace and bounce which the wicket was now offering. The introduction of slow bowler Brown also served to slow the scoring rate as both Chana and Weston struggled to find the boundary.

In the 42nd over with the score on 137-4 both batsman started to kick on as they pushed the Finch fielders and the boundaries started to come. Chana completed a patient 50, but was next out as he was caught behind off the returning Jubb for 62. Hartridge was next, in the kind of situation he has played well so far this season. Quick runs were what was required with the score on 163 for 5 and 6 overs remaining. These came courtesy of a big over from the bowling of Brown as Weston struck him for 6 followed by two 4’s from Hartridge. Weston collected a well earned 50 as Windsor passed the 200 mark in the 52nd over as the innings closed on 202-6 as Hartridge perished off the final ball of the innings for 21. The score looked to be a competitive with the wicket wearing and the pace and bounce becoming more variable.

Windsor went out in search of an early wicket and found one as Baglow was trapped LBW for 5 by Hill by a delivery which didn’t get up. This brought Clarke to the crease who together with Biggs, set about dispatching some wayward bowling from Hill and Bean. Edge was introduced at the expense of Bean and despite a more disciplined approach he too struggled to make further inroads as he toiled away into a stiff breeze. Hartridge was introduced in place of Hill and he also failed to make the break through required.

With the score at 82-1 for at drinks Huggins turned to spinner Lines and this was instantly rewarded as Biggs played on for 47 in his first over. Hartridge then removed Clarke bowled for 24 and it was game on and from here wickets fell regularly. Potter was next well held by Malik off the bowling of Lines for 6. Lines then removed House bowled for 11 and the game was swinging in Windsor’s favour. Edge returned in place of Hartridge to remove skipper Jones caught behind by George for 15 and then Lines bowled Rose around his legs for 10. Despite the flurry of wickets Finch continued in pursuit of Windsor’s total. Jubb came in and looked to play shot a ball cricket and this only served to bring about an early down fall as he was held by Hartridge off the bowling of Edge for 0. Huggan next to go for 1 off the bowling of Lines for his 5th wicket and victory was in sight.

Finch number 10 Smith appeared to have other ideas as he set about the Windsor bowling dispatching Lines and Edge to the boundary. However, the faint hope of a Finch victory was ended as Smith was held by Hartridge in the deep off the bowling of Lines for 38 to give Windsor victory and Lines the excellent figures of 6-50 as the innings closed on 176 in the 46th over.

It was great to see the team bounce back well after defeat the previous week. The batting looked be in good order again with solid contributions from Chana and Weston and the bowlers performed well with Lines the pick of the bunch collecting his first 5 wicket haul in the second XI.

Windsor 2nd XI vs Cookham Dean 1st XI 28/6/2008

Cookham Dean 282-7 49 Overs

Miller 82
Lambden 92

Hill 3-55

Windsor 175 All Out 42.4 Overs

M. Alam 41

On Saturday Windsor travelled to Cookham Dean for their top of table clash looking for a win to distance themselves from the chasing pack. On a bright sunny day Skipper Huggins was again looking to win his second toss of the season with the wicket looking flat, hard and ideal for batting. However, again it was not to be and Cookham had no hesitation in opting to bat first.

Windsor’s new ball pair of Hartridge and Hill soon found the going tough as the Cookham openers Brooks and Miller dispatched any loose deliveries on offer which raced away across the quick out field. It was Hill who struck the first blow for Windsor finding some inswing to trap Brooks L.B.W for 10. This brought Gandesha to the crease and his stay was only a brief one when Hill yorked him for 2 and Windsor were clawing their way back into the game with the score at 54-2. From here though Miller and Lambden took the game away from Windsor with some assured batting. Miller was quick to punish anything over pitched and after a watchful start Lambden joined in on the act stroking three half volleys to the boundary from one Hill over.

Edge was introduced into the attack and almost struck with his first delivery, but, a regulation chance from Miller was put down at square leg and from here the two batsman offered nothing as they started to dominate a wayward Windsor attack. Kellard was then introduced, but he too was to suffer the same fate as his first over went for 9. As the overs went by the run rate only increased with Lambden finding the offside boundary almost at will. It was the introduction of Malik to the attack that finally brought about the break through as Miller after hitting the first two balls of the over for 4 holed out to Hill at deep midwicket for a well made 82. This left the score at 178 for 3 and with plenty of time remaining and wicket is hand Cookham were well placed for a massive score.

Windsor toiled away manfully in the heat, however, with the Cookham batsman able to chance their arms the runs continued to flow. Butt came and went for 7 as he was bowled by Kellard and it was Bibby who proved to be the next able ally for Lambden as the two continued to force the pace with some clean hitting and good running. Lambden was out next run out for 92 care of some good work in the deep by Hartridge. Windsor continued to chip away as Austin was bowled by Hartridge for 1 and then Nunn removed for 4 bowled by Hill and the declaration came at the end of the 49th over with the score at 282 -7. Windsor knew they faced a massive challenge if they were to win the game.

Windsor’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Noble was trapped LBW second ball of the innings by Butt as Cookham took the old ball and opened with spin. Skipper Huggins decided to promote Alam to three and this had the desired effect as he struck his first ball for 4 and soon set about the Cookham bowling. Chana was next back in the pavilion for 5 after a top edged pull from the bowling of Butt well held in the deep by Miller and it looked as if the Windsor innings was losing it’s way. Malik was in next and he too looked to keep the score board moving with Alam who was regularly finding the boundary. Alam was next out though unluckily stumped for 41 from the bowling of Patel as the ball rebounded off the keepers pads onto the stumps. With the score at 66 for 3 Skipper Huggins joined Malik looking to halt the steady fall of wickets, but, this was not to be the case as Malik was bowled through the gate by off spinner Gandesha for 23. Riches then strode out to the crease and after a couple of well struck 4’s he was bowled by a googly from Bibby for 9 and Windsor were firmly on the back foot at 103 for 5.

Hartridge joined Huggins and the pair played sensibly working the ball around and dispatching any loose deliveries for 4. With the partnership growing it was Huggins to go next for 25 as he drilled a Gandesha half volley to wide mid off. Worse was to the come as Hartridge played on for 23 off the first ball of the next Rosenthal over and the chase was all but over with the score at 144 for 7. Hill was next to perish bowled by Gandesha as he was beaten in the flight for 3 and George was soon to follow as he could only fend one back to Patel that got big on him. It was left to final pair Kellard and Edge to try and salvage a draw for Windsor with a number of overs remaining. After some dogged defence mixed with a few lusty blows Windsor’s resistance was finally broken in the 43 over as Edge was bowled by Rosenthal for 9 to leave Windsor 175 all out.

It was disappointing to suffer the first defeat of the season by such a large margin and there will be plenty of room for improvement in next weeks home game against Finch. The bowlers will need to regain the discipline that has served them so well up to this point. On the batting front there will need to be more application, as although a number batters looked in good nick and got starts they will need to kick on and register 50’s and beyond if the team is to be successful in chasing runs and posting totals again.