WOEFUL WINDSOR WOBBLE...

Windsor 86 (5 Points)

defeated by

Beaconsfeild 2's 176 (25 Points)
Nichols 4/35

In what can only be called an utter embaressment, Windsor totally capitulated to
Beaconsfeild 2's on the weekend to hold on to outright 2nd last position. They stand 7 points behind 3rd last so all is not lost, but continued spineless performances like the one displayed last week will end their season sooner rather than later.

Windsor travelled to Beaconsfeild with hope, after the comeplete performance the week previous, but that proved to be a false dawn.

Nichols won the toss and decided to bowl on a hard wicket that would assist his seamers. he was nervous about the way the wicket would play in the final 50, but was confident his bowling could reduce the opposition to a managable target.

Nichols and Mallaoch (3/50) started well as the Beaconsfeild openers struggled to score. Nichols nearly put one in hospital in his 2nd over as Francis who was not wearing a helmet, managed to get the tip of his elbow in the way a brute of a ball making a beeline for his head.

As Francis duly had some protection run on straight after, Malloch removed him caught at midwicket by Millman. He than got the better of fellow Suter as he had him LBW to leave Beaconsfeild 2/21 after 10.

Both openers plyed away and Mallach claimed another in the 17th to have the home side 3/35.
With Nichols bowling maidens and Malloch inswing penetrating the batsmen Windsor looked well pressed to get the opposition to a minimal total.

Just prior to drinks Mohindru (3/38) was introduced and claimed 2 wickets in 2 overs to leave Beaconfield 5/60 after 26 overs.

From here Beaconsfeild through Skitt & Alexander posted a fine reconvery, gently putting on 97 before Mohindru struck to leave them 6/165 and open up the tail and give Windsor hope at reducing the opposition to less then 180.

Nichols then reintroduced himself and with some clever death bowling claimed 4 wickets in 4 overs to knock over the home side for 176.

It was a great performance from Windsor's bowlers and in the feild as they restricted the home side on a good batting strip. It was also a fine performance from Skitt and Alexander, as they where the difference between windsor kncoking them over for less then 100, and getting the total they did.

Beaconsfeild took the old ball and and immediately had the gursts on the back foot, as off spinner Sullivan removed Birch out bowled.

It is fair to say that form here Windsor never recovered. Chorley was then run out leaving Windsor well and truly battered at 2/11 after 10.

The batsmen really struggled against Sullivan and allowed the offspinner to dominate proceeding as no one had the courage to counter attack. Millman was the out caught at cover and Chana finally was removed to leave the guests at an outright embaressing 4/30 after 20 overs.

From here Windsor where never going to win, as their top order could not muster the perserverance to deal with the fine bowling from Sullivan. Windsor could only score 37 runs to the drinks break after 25 overs. This broke any chance the middle order had of digging the side out of the hole as the home sides tails where up, the bowlers where set into dominate lines and Windsor capitulated.

Hartridge, Gregory, Malloch all where removed for single figure scores and Nichols and Mohindru tried a rear guard action to no avail. Baumgartner and young Harris tried in vein to steady the sinking ship but in the 44th over Beaconsfeild had their 25 point win.

To say it was embarressing is an understatment. Sullivan ended with 6/38 and without any shadow of a doubt dominated some of the inept Windsor batting, who seemed incapable of playing descent spin on a turning wicket.

The selectors have many questions to ask on Monday evening, but not as many as the players do in the next few weeks! Windsor seem incapable of putting together 100 overs, and unless something changes soon, They could be testing their wares in Division 3B...

Windsor host Finchampsted next week and a better showing will be required to help get their season back on track.

WINDSOR WIN... FINALLY!

WINDSOR 2/122 (20 Points)
Birch 59

defeated

FARNHAM ROYAL 119 (3 Points)
Mohindru 4/10
Nichols 4/48



After the bitter disappointment of last weeks game, Windsor were looking to put the past behind them as fellow cellar dwellers Farnham Royal 2's travelled to Home Park amid glorious June sunshine.

A considerable loss for either side could of put a massive dent on their 2008 chances of staying up in Division 2A, so Windsor looked on this contest as a must win encounter.

Nichols lost his first toss of the league as Farnham Royal elected the bat on a wicket that looks better and better each week, a massive credit to the Waterers ground staff after the problems of last season.

After a steady start, Malloch had Sahdra caught at midwicket by Gregory attempting to pull. A couple of overs later, Nichols has the fellow opener Perkins heading back, after Harris accepted a gentle catch at short cover.

Windsor really applied the screws in the next few overs via determined fielding and disciplined bowling as Nichols then had Choudary LBW and Sahdra bowled to leave the guests 4/26 after 10 overs.

After being in similar positions in the last 3 weeks, Windsor where determined not to let this opportunity slip. A spirited partnership from Van As and Farnham skipper Khan, resurrected things a little. Khan in particular looked to be getting in on the belter of a wicket before Mohindru was introduced the over prior to drinks and found reward right away, as he had Khan LBW playing the sweep to leave the visitors 5/60 after 26.

Immediately after the break, Nichols who was swinging the ball both ways to the batsman's mirth, captured Gillham bringing former Windsor CC player Pitt to the crease.

He took a liking to the tiring skipper and hit him for some well timed boundaries while Mohindru at the other end, fresh after a stint in the 2nd XI, kept the momentum in Windsor favour as he had Van As caught by Chana at deep square.

The old talisman used his guile to claim another wicket, capturing the dangerous Pitt LBW. It was a welcome return to form for Mohindru, who used his experience to push the ball through, varying his flight to bowl a stump to stump line. If the batsmen missed, they were in trouble.

Just like Nicholas, who gave Mohindru his 4th wicket as he suffered the same fate as 2 other of his team mates, LBW to Mohindru. At the other end. Youngster Harris was brought into the attack, and bowled with intelligence exceeding his years.

A cameo from fellow youngster Singh, was brought to an end, after he hit Harris for 14 runs in the over, went for one to many, gifting Harris his 1st wicket and Chana his 2nd catch, this time at long off to have Farnham Royal all out for 119 after 40 overs.

An early tea was called and Windsor went on the attack right away, with openers Bird and Birch enjoying the batsmen friendly conditions.

Both where scoring freely until Bird was out LBW to Pitt. Chorley did not miss a beat as he hit some superb drives to push the total towards 100. Birch brought up his 50, and was then caught and bowled Sahdra to a brute of a ball that leapt off a length.

This was a small blemish as new batsmen Chana, scored the winning runs via a cover drive for 4, to give the home side their first win of the season.

The win was set up through the great bowling of Malloch, Nichols and Mohindru. The later claimed enviable figures of 4/10 off 7 and the skipper chiming in for 4/48 off 18. Windsor really stuck at it during the middle third of the innings and did not give up when the pitch flattened out and the Farnham side looked to make some inroads to a higher target. It was testimony to the resiliance of the side as in previous weeks, these starts where in vein as Windsor could not keep up the pressure.

In all fairness, Farnham where unable to bring their best side on the day, but Windsor could only play what was in front of them, and an 8 wicket victory inside 65 overs shows the difference between the sides on the day.

The chase was superb as Birch keeps making leaps as a quality opening bat for the club and Chorley highlighted his value by hitting a flawless 40 no to get the side home.

Windor travel to Beaconsfield this week with a new found confidence. The side has found the appropriate bowling mix that going forward should put them in good stead and challenge most sides. Time will tell whether they can keep up the form and consolidate a secure position within the league.

WINDSOR NO MATCH FOR TABLE TOPPERS

WINDSOR 198 (8 Points)
Hartridge 62
Gregory 50

defeated by

BASINGSTOKE HANTS 254 (25 Points)
Nichols 4/49

On the back of an encouraging performance against Chiswick the week before, Windsor travelled to Basingstoke, who were top of the table and keen to enforce their position at home against the bottom feeding Windsor.

Windsor unfortunately where well behind the 8-ball prior to a ball being bowled, as in form batsmen Andy Chorley had to pull out mid week due to study commitments and middle order lynchpin Stuart Millman, broke his nose in a freakish training mishap on the Friday evening before the game.

With Windsor losing its 2 key men in the order, along with the absence of Bird, this was going to be a solid test for the younger lads in the club, and a perfect opportunity to stake a claim in the 1st side upon their return.

Skipper Wes Nichols won his 5th toss on the trot and inserted the home side on what looked a green wicket. With the extra seam options in the side, it seemed a reasonable idea and Nichols was the 1st to strike in his 2nd over claiming Darmody caught behind.

Malloch then chimed in claiming Vinn LBW, and then took yet another screamer in 1st slip off Nichols to knock over Thankachan to have the home side reeling at 3/8 after 8 overs.

Williamson and Giles then proceeded to very slowly rebuild the innings with both batsmen playing a missing a bit, the frustration mounted as Giles consistantly edged boundaries to 3rd man, keeping the runrate ticking, a credit to his experience.

Hartridge was then introduced and managed to knock him over LBW, bringing Rizwan to the crease. From here both bats dispatched some ordinary bowling on what was fast becoming a docile pitch.

Gregory was extremely unlucky not to claim Rizwan as Nichols dropped a sharp chance at short midwicket. This was really the only chance of the period as from 15 to 30 overs, the two bats dominated, until Malloch was re-introduced and bowled a peach of an off cutter to remove Williamson for 58.

Worse was to come for Windsor though as James succession to the wicket brought about an increased run rate that had the visitors struggling to qualm. The 17 year old Ben Harris was brought in to the attack to change things, and on what could be called a poor wicket for spin, bowled an extremely encouraging spell to keep the home side from bolting away completely.

At the 40th over the 200 was posted and Windsor looked dead and buried. Nichols and Gregory where then re-introduced to close off the innings and both bowled well, claimed 2 wickets each in their spell.

Gregory removed both danger men in Rizwan LBW for 64 and James caught of the last ball of the game for 64 to have the hosts 9/254 after their 52 overs. It was a fine comeback on debat for the all-rounder.

It was a superb recovery from Basingstoke after being 3/8, and their middle order really took advantage of the easy batting conditions. Windsor where enthusiastic in the field and special mention should go to Stuart Hayward, who was filling in at the 1th hour due to Millmans injury who kept going all day. The pick of the bowlers were Mallach 2/20 off 9 and Nichols 4/49 off 15.

Windsor started their chase in aggressive fashion with Birch and Chana putting away some loose balls early on in the innings. Birch was removed to a quality ball from James that removed his off stump.

Riches coming in at 1st drop and trying to force himself into the 1st XI as a permanent fixture looked superb as he and Chana looked to settle in. Tragedy struck as Chana was run out for the 2nd time in 5 games. It was a heart breaking end to Chana who looked in rare touch and plunged Windsor to 2/32. Riches then nicked one to 2nd slip off James 1 run later and Malloch missed a straight one off the evergreen Harsham to throw Windsors chase into dire straits, leaving them 4/36.

No matter what way you look at it, this was unacceptable. On a pitch that yelled out 'score runs on me' this showed the inexperience of the Windsor batting line up with out Chorley, Millman and Bird. There are quite simply no excuses, no matter what the lads say, there were probably to many stroke makers, and not enough grafters in the top order and that really did show.

It was left to Nichols and Weston to try and retrieve the situation but Weston nicked one to 1st slip off Harsham to push Windsor to the brink 5/47.

Nichols and Hartridge then began a partnership and looked well on top to push the total onwards to 100+, until was adjudged Nichols LBW as he danced down the wicket to Thankachan . It was a severly bitter pill to swallow, but was eased somewhat by the encouraging display of batting by Hartridge and Gregory, as they shown the top order how to bat.

Both started slowly and began to increase momentum as the Basingstoke skipper cunningly kept the field up and willed the Windsor batsmen to go over the top. Both certainly did oblige with Hartridge hitting some magnificent sixes!

The pair both scored their maiden league 50's and put on a 100 partnership as they moved the score to 181, before Hartridge who had been suffering from cramp, requiring the assistance of a runner was run out, the 2nd of the game.

Gregory then 6 runs later was removed, leaving Windsor well and truly in trouble at 8/188. With 1 point on offer for a score over 200, the players where then informed to go for broke.

Hayward in his 1st XI game debut managed to get 3 runs before leaving a straight one to be LBW, meaning it was up to the 17 year old Ben Harris and veteran Rick Baumgartner to get the Windsor side home.

Unfortunately Harsham (5/45 off 14.4) had other ideas, as he capped of a fine bowling performance on a batters deck with the score on 196. Baumgartner off the penultimate ball on the innings went for broke, only to be caught at short cover to hand the table toppers a 25 point win!

It was a great win for Basingstoke and they truly where the better side on the day. Their middle order really stuck together and grinded out a formidable total.

Windsor were dissapointing to say the very least. some of the top order let themselves down with some loose stroke play and the likes of Chorley, Bird and Millman cannot come back soon enough, to add some grit and resiliance.

The sides bowling probably left a bit to be desired in the middle 1/3 of the innings and with Kellard and Mohindru in the 2nd XI bowling their side to a great victory, it stands to reason their names will be brought up in the selection room this week.

An interesting break down of the innings cannot be avoided. Nichols and Malloch together, managed to claim 6/68 off 24 overs. The rest of the line up contributed 3/169 off 28. A telling tale. Bearing in mind the duo had the advantage of a new ball, it is still an area of concern that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks.

Windsor next week play host to fellow bottom placed side Farnham Royal. It will be a very good test of where the side is, and give a reasonable indication of where they are headed. With the 3 other Windsor sides all getting wins, and players coming back, there is going to be a turnover of personal in the 1st XI as the selectors strive to find the appropriate mix, that will best serve the side.

MALLOCH MAGIC!

WINDSOR 5/220 (15 Points)
Malloch 56
Millman 62

drew with

CHISWICK & LATYMER 9/217 (7 Points)
Malloch 4/53




With Windsor propping up the Division 2A table, they played host to Chiswick & Latymer on Saturday after a week filled with typical English drizzle. The Windsor side had brought in Tom Hartridge on the back of some consistent performances in the 2nd XI and gave youngster Ben Harris his debut as skipper Wes Nichols won his 4th toss in a row and decided to have a bat.

The wicket certainly has a few good seeds in it early on, but Nichols thought with his side being tentative at the crease in recent weeks, a few more weeks setting the target would put them in better stead, with the way the point’s allocation works in the competition, it is a more steady bet.

Openers Chorley and Birch started things off, with Chorley looking in a hurry to get things going hitting a few shots on the up to get the total rattling along quickly. Birch was first to be removed as he smashed a half volley into the bowlers stomach who fell over to accept the caught and bowled!

Chana came and went quickly, caught behind, as Malloch who has been promoted up the order, came to the crease with Windsor at 2/60. That soon became 3/70 when Chorley not only missed out on 50 but a massive 100 that was in the taking, holing out to deep mid off for 49. Fingers crossed he will take the chance next time! After all the chat in the dressing rooms before the game outlining the importance of not throwing you dig away and putting pressure on the middle order, taking responsibility for the game yourself and building partnerships, it was disappointing to see Windsor in this position.

However new batsmen Millman, who with Malloch obviously was listening to the skippers speech before the game, began to take advantage of a flattening wicket, steadily building the total to 100. As drinks came and went both batted beautifully as both brought up very much deserved 50’s through good running between the wickets and putting away the bad ball. Bevan was the first to fall for 56, once again throwing away what could have been a lot more, playing a rash shot to be bowled when accumulating singles was all that was needed.

Millman also fell soon after for 62, meaning it was up to new batsmen Nichols and Weston to get the side to 200+. Once again the message Nichols gave the players prior to the game should have been ringing in those batsmen’s ears! Not to take away from their magnificent partnership of 113, but one of these batsmen’s should have taking the responsibility of batting through to the end. It is not enough to get a 50, once you get there you MUST go on. This is an area Windsor have deplorably let themselves down in the past and need to address going forward if they are to be a force in the competition. You job is not done once you get to 50…

In saying that Weston and Nichols shown the guys how it should be done, taking little risk in putting on 40 runs in 5 overs forcing the total to 5/220, hitting the poor ball and hard running between the wickets.

Windsor’s total looked well beyond Chiswicks reach after 10 overs. Nichols claimed danger man Van Dan Burg caught 1st slip to the reliable Malloch, then Malloch stepped up to claim Davis and Gremitt, caught behind and bowled respectively. Nichols then got back in the act removing Scott with one that bounced a bit too much to spoon a catch to Weston at Mid-on.

With Windsor tails up, Hartridge was then introduced and his improving seam produced the piece of cricket of the day as Baumgartner completed a fabulous leg side stumping dumbfounding San Jose and his team-mates to bring Wrigglesworth to the crease joining Bhatia at 5/40. From here, they took advantage of the flattening wicket and launched a fine recovery.

Bhatia in particular manufacturing some ugly but extremely effect counter attacking at he raced to 70 and gave the away side some hope. Just when it looked like Chiswick where on top debutant Harris had the enigmatic Bhatia caught by a diving Chorley at backward square with the score at 6/140.

The lower order of Chiswick done a fine job as Bhatia’s brother came in and bottom handed anything up in his half to the boundary. The chase was on and with Windsor losing its grasp on the game Nichols brought back Malloch with 12 overs remaining and 50 runs required. It was just the tonic they needed as Malloch removed Wrigglesworth, and Bhatia to pull the game back in Windsor favour.

Some forcing and lucky shots pushed Chiswicks equation to 20 runs off 4 overs. It looked as though Windsor where going to be blindsided by a remarkable Chiswick comeback when skipper Nichols was hit for 10 off one over. With Malloch bowling tight and Nichols backing him up, it came down to the skipper to bowl the final over.

Chiswick needing 7 runs, Windsor needing 2 wickets. Nichols got one of them with his 3rd ball after Chiswick had previously taken 4 runs off his 1st 3 balls. With the number 11 needing 3 runs and Nichols need 1 wicket it was game on. The penultimate ball whizzed past the Singh’s outside edge and missed off stump by a whisker. It was a case of a missed opportunity as Singh eyes closed danced down the crease but Nichols could not deliver. He failed again next ball as Single haplessly played and missed again to a wider delivery that was obviously off target to give Windsor a winning draw and 15 vital points.

Windsor could should be pleased with the 15 points , but one cant help but be a little disappointed at having the opposition 5/40 in the 15 over, a 25 point win slipped away. On a belter of a pitch though, Chiswick done well and in hindsight Windsor done exceptionally well to have the side on the back foot. Malloch bowled well claimed 4/52, combined with 56 in the first innings completed a fine game. Nichols claimed 3/67.

Windsor travel to Basingstoke next week to take on competition leaders. Windsor has had their measure in the past and here is hoping that can continue, as a good win against them would leave Windsor well placed in the league.