Local derby decided by major collapse

Windsor 66 all out 28 Overs (Dick 6 for 18)
Datchet 67 for 1 20 Overs

After the disappointment of the previous weeks last over loss, Windsor were looking to the local derby against Datchet to make amends. Unfortunately for Windsor, the desired result was far from what occurred. With overcast conditions prevalent and rain forecast within the next twenty-four hours, the conditions were perfect for seam and swing bowling, so upon winning the toss Datchet inserted Windsor to bat first.

Windsor openers Bird and Davis found the conditions difficult and tight Datchet bowling saw only 18 coming off the first 10 overs. With Datchet opening bowlers Andy Dick and Luke Shepherd produced prodigious swing and applied extra pressure. Bird looked to force the proceedings but only found the leading edge of his bat and he popped a catch to James Dick off his brother’s bowling. Millman joined Davis, but he too could not get going and was unlucky when Shepherd had him trapped lbw. Huggins soon joined him back in the pavilion shortly afterwards and Windsor were struggling with only 30 on the board for 3 wickets. Nichols provided some resistance and Davis looked to counter attack, but he soon fell to a fine out-swinger from Dick. When Riches became the 5th wicket, Davis tried to counter attack, only to fall as well for 17. Brief cameos from Mohindru and Lines had little affect on the score and a fine Datchet fielding performance saw Windsor bundled out for just 66. Andy Dick was the pick of the bowlers with 6 wickets.

The Datchet reply got under instantly, however a similar pattern of tight bowling from Windsor did not produce the same result. Despite finding good movement, Windsor opening bowlers Nichols and Malloch were unable to break the Datchet openers Mark Shepherd and Mark George. With such a low total to defend, the runs would come along slowly but surely. The introduction of spin saw Windsor take their first wicket with a fine spinning delivery from Mohindru. But neither he nor his spin partner of Mark Lines could build sufficient pressure and Datchet cruised home to a 9 wicket victory.

A comprehensive victory for Datchet was also a real shot in the arm to the Windsor first team. With so many batsmen losing their wickets to playing across the line, the wet early season conditions are not being adapted to. Some hard work and practice will be put into place to make the result this week merely a blip. Solace may be taken in the fact that of the five Division 2A games played last Saturday, three resulted in very low scores, which may be in part due to the poor conditions.

The Windsor team will look to bounce back this weekend with Hillingdon Manor visiting The Home Park.

Windsor struck by Achilles Heel

Windsor 207 for 8 52 Overs (Howard 51)
Wokingham 2nd XI 208 for 8 47.2 Overs (Beals 76; Nichols 5 for 70)

After a resounding win the week before, Windsor finally reached home soil after starting the league and pre-season on the road. With overcast conditions and a week of heavy rain, the toss would always prove critical and it was to no surprise when upon winning the toss, Wokingham sent Windsor into bat.

Windsor openers Bird and Davis found it tough going early on, with the conditions favouring the tight Wokingham bowling. The occasional bad ball was put away, and a run rate of 3 an over was hard to achieve. It was however, a surprise when skipper Bird (22) fell in the 15th over with the score on 45, to a sharp catch in the slips off a good leg-cutter from Ali. Doye joined Davis and the runs became slower to come by as the lack of pace suited neither batters’ game. Davis (19) finally connected with a typical left-handed waft outside the off stump to Ali leaving Windsor 66 for 2 off 22 overs. Huggins, in unusually sedate form, also struggled to adjust and despite some typically lusty blows, fell leg-before to the Mathews’ off-spin. Chorley fell shortly after, playing too early on the drive and the calamitous run-out of Wes Nichols summed up how Windsor had succumbed a good start to being unable to push on.

After losing Doye for erstwhile 35 and Birch for 0, Windsor was in danger of not posting a decent target when they were 140 for 7 off 42 overs. Fortunately, Bevan Malloch joined Paul Howard to provide the foil for the latter to begin to really get going. With Malloch rotating the strike well, Howard began a vicious onslaught that resulted in a 36-ball half century and gave Windsor the chance to post 200. With Howard falling for 51, it was left to some big hitting from Javaid to take Windsor to a final total of 207. Whilst a decent total, there was some concern that the pitch was drying out and becoming easier to bat on.

As with the previous week, Malloch and Nichols found precocious swing and the former struck in his first over once again, removing Neat for 0. When Malloch struck again in his very next over, Windsor were on top with Wokingham 2 down for very few. At this point Beals joined Browitt and started what would prove to be a match winning innings. Returning to cricket for the first time in 2 years, the former first team player rode his luck early on, playing and missing to some fine bowling from the Windsor pair. But as the ball aged and the wicket eased, Beals, ably assisted by Browitt and then Noden, began to move Wokingham into a match-winning position.

Nichols then would return from the Castle End to begin an inspired spell of bowling. In the space of 5 overs, he removed Beals, Noden and three other Wokingham wickets with fast reverse swing bowling, decapitating the off stump on two occasions. Wokingham crashed from 150 for 3 to 164 for 8. Only a brave innings from Achilles would defy his fellow Aussie and the Wokingham overseas player guided his young partner Jain towards the finishing line. With 8 needed off the last over, an outside edge and then cover drive from the next ball, saw Wokingham home with four balls to spare.

The Windsor team were left devastated by the narrow margin of defeat, but were left to ponder on how they had let the game slip away in the middle section when wickets had dried up. The 14 points earned though, pushed Windsor to second in Division 2A.

This week’s local derby against Datchet is bound to be a tense affair, with the home side looking to avenge the defeat in the warm-up game only a few weeks earlier.

Bend it like Bevan

Burnham 99 all out 31.4 Overs (Malloch 6 for 50; Nichols 4 for 47)
Windsor 100 for 2 25 Overs (Bird 51)

The Thames Valley league season started initially under umbrellas for Windsor CC first eleven last Saturday, but would prove to finish under blue skies and an impressive victory.

After travelling the short distance to Burnham and with the covers still on the wicket, Windsor were asked to field first in overcast conditions. However, in the midst of the final warm-ups before the start of the game, the heavens opened and play was unable to start on time. After a near hour and a half delay and with the game reduced to 72 overs in total, play would finally get underway.

The visitors were immediately on top as Wes Nichols removed Burnham’s left-handed opener with a fast, accurate bouncer that he could only bunt to Davis at mid-wicket. Bevan Malloch, playing his first league game for the club, would then join in on the action removing two further wickets, leaving Burnham 1 for 3 after 4 overs. Making the most of the ball swinging, the Windsor new ball pair continued to attack, with both picking up further early wickets to leave Burnham precariously set at 17 for 5. A brief cameo from the Burnham keeper and their young talent saw the score rise towards the century, but Windsor continued to stay on top by taking wickets and pulling off some stunning fielding (including a spectacular diving catch by Hartridge). When Malloch took his sixth wicket to end the innings, Burnham closed with a score of 99.

Windsor began their reply with regular openers Craig Bird and Brian Davis. With one eye on the weather, there was a general feeling that trying to knock the runs off quickly would be the best approach. Fortunately for Windsor, despite some early movement, Burnham’s bark was far worst than their bite, as they were soon on top. The entertaining (if somewhat unoriginal) banter being put forward by the Burnham field was simply focusing the Windsor pair and the score soon past 50 without loss. With Davis playing the supporting role, the Windsor skipper Bird, started to play some searing shots to all parts and passed fifty with ease. However, Bird (51) lost his wicket to slightly overambitious shot and the opening partnership was broken at 72. Millman joined Davis and pair patiently worked their way towards the target. With the winning post in sight and Burnham reverting to part-time bowlers, Davis (22) top edged a full toss to deep square leg and Windsor lost their second wicket, thereby giving Burnham their first league point. Huggins joined the fray, playing in typically aggressive fashion had no intention on hanging around and the target of 100 was reached soon after. Windsor had won by 8 wickets and quite simply outplayed Burnham in aspects on the day.

The win was greeted with delight by the Windsor team and was testament to the team effort on the day. The accurate bowling was matched by some athletic fielding and then the game completed by a measured approached to the batting. With more yet in the locker, the team confidence is high for season ahead.

Wokingham visit The Home Park this coming Saturday, as the Windsor first team return from a lengthy road spell for their first home game of the season. With confidence high, the team will look to continue the winning ways.

Windsor outclassed in final warm-up game.

Enfield 240 for 3; 40 Overs (Tilley 83; Coughlan 50)
Windsor 140 for 9; 40 Overs

With the league season fast approaching, Windsor 1st eleven played their final warm-up game away at Enfield. As a Middlesex County League 1st Division club, it was always due to be a tough assignment. On what looked to be a hard, fast track, Enfield won the toss and chose to make first use of the facilities.

Windsor opened the bowling with promising prospect Jonathan Holmes and newcomer Bevan Malloch. Both bowled well, finding swing and movement and were unlucky not to take early wickets. With outfield quick, anything slightly wide was being dispatched for four and Enfield were cruising at 5 an over from the onset. Malloch finally managed the first breakthrough in the 8th over, removing Pearson for 18 with a swinging ball that beat his drive. This saw Coughlan join Higgs and continue the aggressive attack.

Windsor then looked to slow things down at one end with the introduction of Mohindru. The fast pitch was much to the Windsor veteran’s liking and he began to garner some incredible bounce. He was finally rewarded when he removed Higgs for 34. Tilley then joined Coughlan and then began to forge a very strong partnership. Even the introduction of Wes Nichols did to slow the run rate sufficiently, as Enfield’s score began to grow. With some excellent running between the wickets putting the fielders under pressure, runs continued to flow. Chris Kellard’s leg-spin was introduced, but a lack of grip made him easy prey as both batsmen passed 50 with ease. Nichols, returning for the final four overs, managed to remove Coughlan for 50 with a leg-cutter through to the keeper. But Jim Gatting, (son of former England captain Mike) carried on the onslaught. Gatting and Tilley continued to plunder the Windsor bowling and Enfield closed their innings with 240 from their 40 overs.

The Windsor reply started briskly until Davis was caught at mid-on from a leading edge for 11 off Richards bowling. Weston was then removed by a fine off-cutter from Robertson and Windsor’s innings began to falter. A few lusty blows from Riches calmed the waters shortly, but only skipper Craig Bird, looked in any way settled at the crease. The introduction of the spin duo of Jackson and Harding put the handbrake on the Windsor innings with Chorley and Bird struggling to meet the fast-increasing run rate required.

The loss of Chorley, first over after drinks, with the score on 79, saw a flurry of wickets go on the same score. With Bird and Patel also falling without another run being added to the score, the Windsor reply quickly derailed. A brief partnership between Nichols and Malloch, briefly gave the visitors hope, but once both departed the game was lost. A late cameo from Mohindru saw Windsor towards 150. However when the overs ran out, Windsor had lost by 100 runs.

A disappointing game in many ways for The Home Park outfit, more so in the fact that they were the cause of much of their troubles. Better fielding, more consistent lines of bowling and development of partnerships were the key things missing. Yet, all issues that can be worked upon in the coming weeks. The key factor, was talent for talent the teams we well matched, it was just application that was left flagging.

With the league season starting this coming weekend, Windsor can boast a more balanced squad than in previous years. The return of Mark Huggins and development of the club’s younger talent sees the club looking forward to the season with great anticipation. Furthermore, with the introduction of Malloch to take the new ball with Nichols, it should provide Windsor’s Australian overseas player the chance to bowl in an attacking manner this season, rather than merely to contain.

Windsor begins their Division 2A campaign this Saturday with the trip to local rivals Burnham

Windsor edge local derby thriller

Datchet 168 all out; 39.1 Overs (Nichols 5 for 29)
Windsor 169 for 9; 39.2 Overs (Millman 73; Stapleburg 4 for 12)

After the sobering events of last weekend in Egham, Windsor played away to Datchet for their second friendly of the season. Skipper Wes Nichols won the toss and decided to bat first on an under prepared wicket that has some moisture which he thought could help his attack.

After some hiccups with youngster Tom Hartridge taking the new ball being unable to control its swing, Nichols introduced debutant Adnan to accompany him with the bowling duties and with his nagging seamers managed to contain the Datchet order. Superb fielding in the ring by Mark Lines helped dry up runs and Windsor capitalized via the wicket of skipper Sheppard to Nichols.

Adnan’s efforts were superb, as he appears to be the missing link to a Windsor attack that lacked consistency last season. He captured the dangerous George LBW and made life hard for batsmen to score consistently. It appears that Nichols has finally found a seamer who can apply pressure at the other end which augers well for Windsor’s attack. Nichols bowled unchanged for 16 overs to cut the heart out of Datchet and claim 5/29, picking up where he left off last season.

The skipper who had Datchet 90/8 then introduced his spinners to utilize the trial time and while Mohindru as always was economical claiming 3 wickets, the experience of Andy Dick tolled on youngster Mark Lines as he smashed him for 5 sixes to take the home side to 168 all out. Lines will have days like that but as long as he learns from the experience and keeps attacking the batsmen he will be fine. He must learn to be aggressive at all times.

Windsor’s performance in the field was outstanding with the fine bowling one side of the wicket being supported by fantastic fielding in the ring and catching. The highlights being a direct hit from veteran Rahul Mohindru and the athletics’ of Lines and Tom Hartridge. The side is starting to learn that building pressure and drying runs up will create opportunities to capture wickets.

Windsor started poorly with openers Davis and Condon being removed cheaply. This brought about a game changing partnership between Millman and Huggins who punished the rare poor balls bowled by the Datchet attack to take the side to 2/102.

Huggins departed playing across the line for 26 and bringing Chorley to the crease whose form although is very scratchy applied himself to build a partnership before departing adding valuable runs with Millman.

Yet another partnership flowed with youngster Hartridge 17 and Millman 73 before both fell in quick succession, leaving Windsor shaky and needing 20 runs off the last 5 overs! An easy task until Stapleburg produced a dream spell claiming 3 for none as Windsor staggered needing 6 off the last over.

Skipper Wes Nichols batting down the order giving others time in the middle, duly clipped two 4 in as many balls to give Windsor a win it may have otherwise let slip through panic, impatience and nerves. Nichols finished with 16 not out in a useful final performance as skipper before Bird comes back to lead the side next week.

What was pleasing about the day was the fact that the side in the middle order batted in partnerships. Millman was again sublime and is one of the most under rated batsmen in the league as he uses guile and touch to tick the runs along. He will be one of the side’s main assets along with Bird and Huggins when it comes to scoring runs for us this season.

As for the attack Adnan look to be the perfect foil for Nichols who can now attack more and use his variety as a bowler now he has a miser at the other end in who will dry up runs. The fact that Windsor had the best batting side in the division 90/8, speak volumes for its potential.

The side now turns its attention to Enfield next week hoping to continue the good form and lesson it learns week in week out.