BIRCH SCORES MAIDEN 100

WINDSOR 219 (12 points)
Birch 103
Weston 40

lost to

MAIDENHEAD & BRAY 5/222
Nichols 3/51


After the rain played havoc with the previous weeks game, pleasant weather meet Windsor as they travelled the Maidenhead & Bray to take on the new guys in the competition. Having looked at the form, the home side have proved themselves more than capable in the Division 2A competition, and Windsor knew they had to play good cricket to get the points.

Having inspected the wicket, Nichols, in winning his 3rd toss in a row had no hesitations in batting first on a belter of a wicket. With Chorley unavailable through study leave, Birch was promoted up the order to open with the steadily improving Chana.

The new opening combination started superbly, with Birch pushing Chana between the wickets. the pair put on 40 until Chana (18) was run out via a direct hit. Bird (11) than came to the crease and with Birch, built more momentum until he was bowled Bashir from a quicker ball.

Last weeks run scorers Nichols and Millman came and went without adding to the total, playing shots that suggested they where still batting on Windsors Home Park! Both where caught in covers playing on the up, bringing debutant overseas player Adam Weston to the crease.

From here it was one way traffic, as Birch brought up his 50, and Weston proved his worth, as the two ran hard between the wickets, pushing Windsor total past 150. The intelligence of the partnership was a subtle lesson for the Windsor boys as both took limited risks and took advantage of the defensive field set, to click at 5 an over.

With a score of 250+ on the cards, Weston (40) holed out to deep mid off, in a great knock on debut, bringing Malloch to the crease.

It was Birch though who with the 200 posted, scored his century with a trademark slap down the ground, easily the best knock played in the 1st XI for some time.

Unfortunately, when the side needed Birch to cash in he played a loose shot falling for 103, bringing in Davis. both Davis and Malloch struggled to come to terms with the pace of the wicket and perished in uncharacteristic fashion, Davis run out by the wicketkeeper and Malloch bowled playing a heave.

This is where Windsor lost the plot and continued to lose wickets steadily in the final overs finished with 9/219. This was disappointing to the extent that 240 was a par total and lack of patience by those lads meant that Windsor where behind the 8-ball.

The Maids attack bowled well at the death, but Windsor handed them a life line to win the game in capitulating for 4/30 off the last 7 overs...

Windsor need to value their wicket more and pay more respect to the opposition.

On a hard deck Nichols got the initial break through in the 3rd over claiming Khan caught behind bringing Bashir to the crease. Nichols bowled a threatening spell that had Kennedy saw best as he saw his life pass before his eyes as the skipper revealed his skidding bouncer that could have meant extra laundry for Kennedys mother!

In saying that Kennedy batted very well with Bashir and persevered, until in a great display of sportsmanship, he walked after a caught behind appeal off Malloch, which was initially turned down. This sentiment did not go un-noticed by the Windsor side.

At 2/80 in the 20th the game was on an even keel as Bashir and Kumar looked to consolidate the chase. They were going along magnificently, until Nichols claimed the dangerous Bashir to a sublime catch at 1st slip to Malloch, leaving Maids 3/121.

With the asking rate 5 an over, Maids looked shaky as the skipper than had Choudhary caught and boxing Maids in at 4/145.

With Kumar defying his young age and playing a great knock, Iqbal then entered the fray, and systematically belted both Mohindru and young leg-spinner Kellard to put the home side back in the game. After 6 overs of carnage, he departed for 35 (28 runs in boundaries!) and left Maids 5/195, with 8 overs to go.

From here Maids where in the box seat and Kumar brought up his well deserved 50, as Bezuidenhout joined him at the crease the score the winning runs with 3 overs the spare.

It was a superb chase from the new side in the competition and Maids heartily deserves their win.

It was a shame that Windsor, caught not bat better in the last stanza of their innings, as a score of 240/250, would have made for an interesting climax. In the end 219 was not enough.

Windsor have played well for 70-80% in their matches, but the small portion of the time they switch off has come back to hurt them.

Against Marlow, that final 10 overs certainly cost them a 20 point win and the final 7 overs against Maids whilst batting, certainly harmed them.

They really need to take ownership of the situation and all 11 blokes need to recognise that they need to play for 100 overs. Be patient, be sensible and concerntrate. With the division being significantly tougher than last season, every player needs to put their hand up and contribute.

The highlight of the day for Windsor was the knock from Birch. Now he has proved to himself he can do the job opening the batting, that many others knew he could, he needs to push his game into the next level. It was inexperience that resulted in him losing his wicket when he did, and although tough to admit, it had as much a bearing on the side not getting to the 250 mark as that terrible final 7 overs. the easiest runs you will ever score are those after 100...

Overseas player Adam Weston, had a great debut for the side and his continued performances during the season will be much needed! With SAF Glenn Du Preez set to arrive in a month, it will be a great contest between the two, to see who will get the 1st team overseas spot. At the moment, it is Weston's to lose.

The bowling of Malloch 1/57 was also great and he was unlucky to only get the 1 wicket as he bowled much better than the figures suggest on a belter, as Nichols continued his good form claiming 3/51.

Next game against Chiswick at home is sure to spark the lads into action as Windsor make changes, dropping Davis and Kellard from the side and adding Hartridge, fresh from a 5/45 two weeks ago in the 2nd XI, and young off spinning colt Ben Harris, who has been turning it lately.

Fingers crossed the guys can put together a performance for 100 overs and get the biscuits.

WINDSOR DRAW RAIN AFFECTED MUD WRESTLE

WINDSOR 9/145 (6 points)
Nichols 58
Millman 35

drew with

MARLOW 8/175 (13 points)
Nichols 7/59



After the prior weekends fabulous weather, it only stood to reason that the heavens would more than make up for it, as the rain and cold found its way to Home Park for the first XI's game against Marlow CC.

Marlow is on a fast track to get back to Division 1 as soon as possible after an abbreviation in 2007. Windsor had other ideas as they made only one chance from the side that was humbled by Datchet.

Six wicket all-rounder Brian Davis form the 2nd team forced his way in for an absent Bevan Malloch.

Windsor won the toss and with a juicy wicket at their disposal, skipper Wes Nichols has no hesitations in asking the opposition to bat. The overcast conditions meant that batting would be difficult but early breakthroughs paramount. He thought the conditions would also help his inexperienced attack of Davis and Hill.

It did not take long for Windsor to make the conditions count, as Nichols removed one of the openers to a fine catch at 2nd slip to Birch in the 1st over. Nichols was enjoying the new found pace in the wicket as he removed Marlows other opener and 1st drop inside the first 10 overs, caught be keeper Baumgartner to have the visitors reeling at 3/35. Davis at the other end was doing a superb job, bowling tight while Nichols capitalised on his good work at the other end.

Unfortunately the 1st of several rain delays haltered Windsors momentum. After the 20 minute break Windsor had to start again. Marlow capitalised on this but the 4th wicket eventually did fall as Nichols gained his 4th to a peach of an inswinger to cartwheel the Marlow SAF overseas middle stump!

Nichols then gained Marlows main man in Paskins to gain his 5th wicket and the have Marlow looking down the barrel at 5/69.

From here yet another rain delay pushed its way into the game. An early lunch was taken, As Marlow sought a way to carry on to the 44th and final over in the rain reduced fixture.

Unfortunately for Windsor, the rain in the outfield made the ball as slippery as soap. The rain had found its way into the seam reducing the movement the ball was offering Windsor, and from here Marlow found their stride.

Nichols claimed his 6th wicket to have Marlow 6/97 but a crucial 7th wicket partnership blew the game right open. With Hill struggling at the other end with the different conditions, Nichols was left the shoulder the burden as Mohindru was introduced to take the pace off the ball.

Marlow after getting a sighter, took full advantage of the bowling change, and punished the veteran off spinner by hitting some big 6's! Nichols was also coming in for some treatment, and some embarrassing moments in the slippery out field meant that Marlow was let right back into the game. From being 6/97, Marlow moved onto 8/175 off their allotted 44 overs.

This was a devastating for Windsor who had done all the hard work in the lead up, but let it all unravel in the last 10 overs, as Marlow scored 70 runs to push the game back in their favour.

Nichols was the mainstay of the attack claiming 7/59 off 22 continuous overs. Mohindru claimed 1/60 off 9 with Davis unlucky not to get more overs took 0/14 off 5. The rain and harsh conditions did make fielding tough, but there was no excuse for the embarrassing way Windsor capitulated under the Marlow pressure.

A 10 minute break saw Windsor face the tough ask of 4 runs an over in terrible conditions. Marlow with a new ball on a seamers paradise, claimed Chana for 0. Chorley followed a few overs later caught and bowled. At one end Hampton bowled a sublime spell of fast bowling getting the ball to talk as he removed Bird to a sublime delivery to be caught behind as Windsor had faltered to 3/19.

Millman and Nichols set about rebuilding the innings as they persevered in the tough conditions. Marlow could smell blood in the water as they set in for the kill, but the two Windsor batsmen stuck it out putting on 80 runs to build the score to 3/104 in the 30th over.

Windsor where well in the box seat, with Nichols well set and Millhouse hitting some solid shots but disaster struck when Millman fell for 35 to a fine leg cutter he fending off his chest to be caught at 1st slip. Birch than played a meek shot next ball, to leave Windsor 5/104 with 9 overs to go.

With batting difficult to get going without spending time at the wicket, Nichols was the only hope as he tried to keep the run rate ticking. He got his 50, but then Davis was removed shortly after LBW. Hill than fell next over for 0 and all hope Windsor had of winning fell with him.

Nichols in a valiant quest to keep the runs coming was then removed for 58, leaving Baumgartner and Monhindru to save a draw. Mohindru kept the visitors in the hunt losing his wicket with 3 overs to spare, but Kellard came in and was solid as a rock, to prevent Marlow form getting the extra points they really did deserve, and spare Windsor a 0 and 2 start to the season!

It was a game that was heavily influenced by the weather and a shame that Windsor, although winning the toss, where most adversely affected by it. In saying that the game was lost in the last 10 overs they where in the field, as a score of 140 would have been more than achievable, and had gotten Windsor 20 crucial points that they are going to need in this difficult league.

The only good things to come out of the day was the continued good form of Millman, the tight bowling of Davis and the performance of skipper Wes Nichols. Its not very often a player can claim 7/59, top score with 58 and be 1 wicket away from being on a losing side...

This Windsor side has alot of questions to ask themselves in the next few weeks, and the work to answer them starts at training.

There where murmurs at the ground from the Marlow visitors and others, that Windsor seems to be a one man team... The Windsor skipper was embarrassed to hear this, but only the 10 other lads fronting up next week can silence those voices...

Finger crossed the weather will hold out and Windsor can prove to everyone how good a side they can be. Time will tell.

Windsor Can't Match It With Datchet!

WINDSOR 196 (10 points)
Birch 48
Malloch 45

lost to

DATCHET 4/196 (20 points)
Aldiss 107*

The Thames Valley League finally got underway on Saturday as Windsor travelled to derby rivals Datchet amid sensational weather usually reserved for July or August. The banter started early as Datchet skipper Mark Sheppard proclaimed his side would 'humiliate' the Windsor outfit in the local press. Datchet have a lot of pressure heaped on them this season as they are popular favourites to take the title, whereas Windsor are looking towards the future and to consolidate the side blooding new players and enhancing their contribution.



The game saw the debut of Harmet Chana, and the return of Chris Kellard and Alex Hill, who spent all of 2007 in the 2nd XI. Selectors believe that their time has come to play their part in the 1st XI. The Datchet wicket was superb for this time of the year and the sunny weather during the week helped produce a belter, that upon winning the toss, skipper Wes Nichols decided to bat on first.

Chorley and Chana started in vibrant fashion, dispatching 33 runs off the first 3 overs! But once the ball started to swing, the scoring dried up, on the back of fine bowling for Datchet stalwart Andy Dick. In the 9 the over, Chana (15) showed a little inexperience, looking to play through mid wicket to Dick, who squared him up and had him LBW. The hard surface was to Dick's liking as he grabbed another 2 wickets in quick succession in Bird (5) to a peach of a delivery taking off stump and Nichols (0) in a contentious caught behind. Millman and Chorely began to fight back taking the score up to 50, before another difficult decision went against the visitors as Chorely (38) perished to the enigmatic Tilley LBW. Millman (12) than joined the top order, who were watching the game from the pavilion, also LBW to Tilley to push Windsor to the brink at 5 for 60. Datchet were well on top and it was no surprise that once Dick was removed from the attack, Windsor started to grab the ascendancy through Malloch and Birch. The two built a partnership through superb running between the wickets and dispatching the bad delivery. They were particularly harsh on Tilley, as Datchet allowed Windsor to obtain valuable bonus points as the side moved to 170, before Birch (48) fell to J Dick to a full toss on leg stump! This brought Hill to the crease as the running between wickets continued to impress as Malloch (45), looking to grab more bonus points was superbly caught on the boundary. The lower order in Kellard and Mohindru where left to prod Windsor to 200, after Hill (15) departed, but they could only muster a couple more runs as Windsor folded on 196.

Its was a fair performance considering the obstacles that where placed in front of them, and at one stage whilst at 5/60, 196 looked no chance. Birch and Bevan were great, but the fact remains that if they could have stuck around, a score more than 200 would have been achieved.



Windsor started well and truly on the front foot as Nichols knocked over Sheppard caught at 1st slip to the 2nd ball of the innings. Bevan struggled at the other end while Nichols bowling with great pace had George proddding around outside off. Thankfully for Datchet Tim Aldiss did not have that problem as he took his time early on and belted some glorious shots and started to gain the ascendancy. Hill was then introduced and he bowled a sublime spell of bowling to a well set batsmen in Aldiss, teasing him out side off stump getting great carry. But for all the effort Windsor where unable to knock over the mercurial left hander as he had scored his 50 with Datchet's score on 68! Spin was then introduced as Mohindru had George caught by skipper Nichols and Windsor started to believe. Drinks came and went and with new batsmen Tilley, looking to play his shots, young leg spinner Kellard as introduced. With Datchet's score moving to 2/130, Nichols was hoping that Kellard could claim a few wickets to get the side some more bonus points. The plan worked as Kellard had Tilly caught at 1st slip by Nichols, who incidentally let his side down next ball, by grassing new batsmen Jones, in what was a much simpler chance!This was just the benefit Datchet needed as they moved ever closer to the target. Aldiss brought up his 100 after hitting some magnificent 6's but Windsor did claim some consolation as Mohindru gave Windsor another bonus point by claimed Jones LBW. In the end Datchet got the required total 4 wickets down with 13 overs the spare.

The difference between the two sides was Aldiss. The fact he scored 110* in a total of 196 pretty much tells the story as to how valuable he is to Datchet's chances in 2008. If he stays fit Datchet will be right up there by seasons end. As for Windsor they played very well. Cricket is all about swings and round abouts, and to be frank some umpiring decisions did not go thier way. In saying that, that's cricket! Fingers crossed a few 50/50's go Windsor's way later on in the season! It should be said that the better side certainly won, Datchet truly deserve the bragging rights much more than Windsor.

Birch, Malloch and Chorely batted best for Windsor. Hill was the pick of the bowlers, even though he went wicketless. Windsor were sublime in the field with Bird and Chana in particular doing great things! All in all, to take 10 points away from a side like Datchet was a fine effort, and looking forward to the rest of the season, Windsor is sure to ruffle a few sides feathers.