WINDSOR PULL OFF BIG 25 POINT WIN, DOING INJURED SKIPPER WATKINS PROUD

Windsor CC Vs Thatcham match report 19th July

Acting skipper Peter Thompson got off the start he wanted by Winning an
important toss and electing to bat on what looked like a good cricket wicket.
After a good opening stand by Davis and Bird, Davis eventually fell for 20, but
the ever more reliable Bird carried on to a brilliant 73, with the other Windsor
batsman batting well around bird especially Aussie Matt Greene. After a good
cameo partnership at the end of the innings by the classy looking Gould and
Thompson Windsor eventually closed there innings on 192 for 8.

Skipper Thompson at this point concerned that the score would not be enough
turned to the skill and experience of veterans Raul Mohindru and Wayne Spence,
hoping that they could work there spinning magic with the old ball.

What happened next was a fantastic display of controlled slow bowling, old
timers Spence and Mohindru show there class and experience never straying from
there line of length, wickets fell regularly as the Thatcham Batsmen failed to
cope with the accuracy of the bowling, the fielding was also excellent, Skipper
Thompson and Keeper Barney Clifford especially, Clifford his usual brilliant
self behind the stumps taking a sharp catch and very clever stumping and
Thompson taking 2 blinding slip catches. Thatcham had no answer to the Windsor
bowlers eventually Mohindru cleaned bowled the hapless Thatcham number 11
batsman, the jubilant Windsor team taking a well deserved 25 points.

C Bird 73
B Davis 20
A Chorley 14
M Greene 32
M Huggins 17
R Matthews 8
P Thompson 11
M Gould 7 NO
W Spence 0
B Clifford 2 No
R Mohindru DNB

C Thomas 6 1 31 0
P Edgecombe 15 6 40 4
C Bird 11 1 44 1
M Smith 8 3 21 1
D Johnson 12 0 52 3

P Hall 5
J Iteridge 17
C Wright 8
S Wyatt 4
R Patel 0
D Johnson 31
R Fraser 23
C Bird 0
M Smith 3
C Thomas 6 NO
P Edgecombe 0


O M R W

W Spence 20 5 56 3

R Mohindru 20 4 40 6

Windsor take plaudits but miss out on the points

Windsor were inserted on a motorway of a wicket away to relegation contenders Basingstoke on Saturday. Perhaps confused by the surprise insertion, skipper Watkins again strapped the pads on attempting to lead from the front. Unfortunately, after one blazing square drive off the hapless Vinn he fell LBW to the lively Bowen. The normally ever reliable Bird was for once not out attempting one big wipe to many, instead he played all around a gentle straight one from the omnipresent Bowen. Former Windsor great Andy Chorley then set about responsibly rebuilding the Windsor innings, cutting out from his repertoire the usual crazy shots that blight many of his innings'. He played some exquisite drives and cuts on his way to a well deserved 52.

Joel flattered to deceive, playing some effortless off drives extracted directly from the top drawer before edging a wide half volley behind off the bowling of Vinn. Aussie youngster Greene fell LBW, again to Bowen, after making only 6. Greene's disappointment will be amplified by the fact the he took a sizeable chunk out of the ball with his inside edge. The Windsor innings rocked as Chorley offered a simple chance to mid wicket and the Basingstoke skippers gamble looked to be paying off as the visitors slumped to 80 for 4.

Watkins then implemented his crisis management system, in the form of Pete Thompson, a master at steadying the ship. The Yorkshireman set out his stall early with a straight bat and stubborn refusal to take unnecessary risks. At the other end, the classy Rob Mathews continued his upturn in form with a brisk 28, including some fine leg side strokeplay. As he fell to skipper Harsham's medium pace, it served only to bring blazing Berkshire ace Mark Huggins to the wicket eager to dish out some treatment with his 3 pound plus willow. The contrast was like chalk and cheese, Thompson dogged and determined, Huggins carefree and explosive. The two added 85 for the 6th wicket, and the momentum was back with Windsor.

As Huggins fell to a mis directed hammer blow for a vintage 57, keeper Clifford's arrival only hastened the scoring, with an exemplary display of cuts and pulls that would put the top order to shame. In the final assault, stalwart Thompson finally fell for 38, but the damage was done. Windsor were on top at half time.

In reply Watkins quickly picked up Dvamer for a duck before falling injured with a chronic back injury. Huggins and Thompson took on the new ball, but with limited penetration it was not long before the mysterious Mohindru and senior pro Wayne Spence were in the attack to take the pace off the ball. Mohindru bowled with verve and consistently beat the outside edge with his mixture of gentle away swing and sharp turners. At the other end, Spence quickly dealt with Droy thanks to a sharp piece of work behind the stumps from young Clifford. Richards made steady progress, building a solid partnership with Froud, before the dangerous Spence sent both packing with some more aggressive off spin. Spence consistently picks up top order wickets and is proving to be the key man in the Windsor bowling line up.

Basingstoke were loosing wickets, but scoring fairly quickly, and with a key bowler out of action, the game hung on a knife edge. At that point the two spin kings really earned their bacon. Mohindru sent one clean through Neale and Spence picked up Jones thanks to a smart catch from Thompson. From here Windsor were in control, using up overs before beginning the final assault. Watkins brought Huggins into the attack in an attempt to pick up the final 3 wickets, and he soon was rewarding his skippers faith. Karsham was bagged at square leg by Mohindru, before an outrageous slower ball sent Bowen on his way.

With 10 men able to bat, Windsor were a nailbiting snick away from 25 points, but it just wasn't to be this time. Windsor will be satisfied with a good days work and 14 points, but having outplayed Basingstoke in all departments, one wonders what might have been.


D Watkins LBW Bowen 5
C BIrd Bd Bowen 0
A Chorley Ct Bowen Vinn 52
M Joel Ct Vinn 20
M Greene LBW Bowen 6
P Thompson Ct Harsham 39
R Mathews Ct Bowen Harsham 28
M Huggins Ct Bowen 57
B Clifford Not Out 30
W Spence Not Out 0

251 - 8 off 52 overs
Bowen 4 - 81

M Richards Bd Spence 36
S Dvamer Ct Green Watkins 0
R Froud St Clifford Spence 47
R Droy Ct Clifford Spence 6
A Neale Bd Mohindru 30
N Williams Not Out 21
S Jones Ct Thompson Spence 11
K Harsham Ct Mohindru Huggins 0
R Bowen LBW Huggins 6

178 - 8 off 48 overs
Huggins 2-45
Spence 4-46

Last Ball despair

A dramatic last ball victory for league leaders Harefield over division one new boys Windsor will leave a foul taste in the mouth for the Home Park outfit. Windsor walked away with their heads head high, but will be wondering what might have been as Harefield crept past the winning post on an action packed afternoon.

Windsor's batting has finally started to click, and having won the toss skipper Watkins strapped the pads on to open up with the ever reliable Craig Bird. Watkins was soon on his way however, playing on to an effort ball from one of the many overseas players in the Harefield side. Bird and Chorley consolidated, building an solid platform with minimum fuss. Gales then set a trap for Bird, despatching two men on the on side for miscued hook. Unfortunately for Gales, the only thing being despatched was the red leather, as Bird tucked in to his military medium pace with a series of thundering cover drives.

Chorley again threatended a score, before being held by a blinder at slip off the inconsistent O'tool. By now the momentum was with windsor, and Greene set about the attack with a series of drives through the V. Greene scores quickly and it surely won't be long before he notches a big score in Division 1. At 36 however, he fell to another sharp catch off the bowling of Webb, but this only brought new boy Mathews to the wicket, due a big score after some miserable form to date. He duly obliged, blazing the attack all over the park for a quickfire 50.

Anchor man Bird finally fell, trying one big wipe too many, but Windsor were well placed at 180 for 5 with 10 overs to go. Unfortunately Windsor could not capitalise on a great position. Huggins played a sublime flick off his toes for 4, before falling to another good catch as he aimed to hit one back to Windsor. The big right hander looks badly in need of some net practice. The tail didn't wag, and after the normally reliable but plodding Thompson was easily run out, the innings was soon wrapped up for 215, some 30 short of where Windsor should have been. Gale will be satisfied with 6 wickets for his medium pace trundlers.

In reply strike bowler Huggins sent Young back to the pavilion with a snorter early on, the lanky right bat hander looking out of his league against the fire and brimstone approach of the young Berkshire ace. Watkins was miserly as ever, conceding only 8 runs off his first 10 overs. Kiwi imports Mcleod and Ready were a class act however, and they accumulated well, keeping the scoreboard moving at around 3 and over for the first 30. Huggins lost his footing on the crumbling pitch, and Watkins quickly brought old timer Spence into the attack to take all of the pace off the ball. Ball magician Mohindru also came into the attack, and as the tense run chase approached it's latter stages, both Kiwis were well set at the wicket.

Spence then made the crucial breakthrough. Mclead dance down the wicket, and stand in keeper Rob Noble had the bails off in a flash - one of two stumpings in the afternoon for the more than tidy keeper. Ready followed, skying one to the outfield off Mohindru's tweakers. Windsor were back in the game. Spence then ripped out the middle order, Hill, Web and Gayle having no answer to his flight and turn. The run chase was faltering and Windsor sensed a chance of victory. Watkins returned, picking up the dangerous Lyall, and as Spence took the ball for the final over, the home side needed 16 to win with 3 wickets in hand. A dropped catch, a missed run out and some decent blows from McConnon took Harefield home off the final ball. The difference between the two sides were two dropped catches and failure to bat the overs. Gutting for Windsor, but the Home Park outfit are now starting to look like a formidable side in division one.


C Bird Ct Mcloud Bd Lines 50
D Watkins Bd Gales 5
A Chorley Ct Giles Bd O'Tool 18
M Greene Ct Hill Bd Webb 36
R Mathews Ct Mcloud Bd Gale 52
M Huggins Ct Mcloud Bd Gale 10
P Thompson Run Out 8
M Gould LBW Bd Gale 0
R Noble Bd Gale 2
W Spence Ct & Bd Bd Gale 5
R Mohindru Not Out 2

Total 215 for 10 off 49.2 overs
Gale 18 overs, 6 for 86

R Mcloud Ct Greene Bd Spence 58
S Young LBW Bd Huggins 4
A Ready Ct Mathews Bd Mohindru 83
D Lyall Ct Mathews Bd Watkins 32
A Hill Ct Huggins Bd Spence 2
M Webb St Noble Bd Spence 2
S McConnon Not Out 16
A Gayle St Boble Spence 3
N Lias Not Out 8

Total 216 for 7 off 51 overs

From www.thisiswindsor.com

Agony as Windsor fail to capitalise on hard work

WINDSOR finally had to settle for a draw with NPL Teddington but captain Deri Watkins was a frustrated man after his side threw away a winning position against the side second in Division One.

Tight bowling from Windsor helped restrict Teddington to 165-9 in 52 overs at Home Park and after Craig Bird, Brian Davis and Andy Chorley got them past 100 for the loss of three wickets it looked like a surprise win for the newcomers.

Teddington struck back with the quick wickets of Matt Greene, Rob Matthew and last week’s hero Mark Huggins (first ball) meant in the end it was Windsor clinging on. They had just six points to show for their efforts when clawing to 135-9 in 48 overs at the close.

“I was always confident we wouldn’t lose but it was such a shame not to win after being on top for three-quarters of the game,” said Watkins. “They showed why they are one of the top teams in the division because they kept on fighting and had depth in the bowling attack.

“The lads were down in the dressing room afterwards but I told them not to forget we had come close to defeating a strong side.

“We are just lacking the killer instinct to close down games at the moment. Bowling-wise we can compete with any one its just waiting for the batsmen to fire.”

Watkins also spoke about some of the problems the side has been facing this year: “We are finding we are playing teams now who have one or two outstanding players, better than anything we have. Clubs are paying pros to come in and try and get them up the divisions.

“We would not do that because our club policy is to encourage youngsters through and treat everyone equally.

“I have said it before but we also have the close the gap between our Firsts and Seconds. So far we have seen Rob Matthews, Brian Davis and Matt Joel drop to the seconds and get big tons, it is showing the difference.”