WINDSOR FALL SHORT IN DRAW

Ben Harris 7/52 done his best to restrict Kew to 178 on the weekend but it was not enough to get Windsor the win...

KEW 178


Ben Harris 7/52


drew with




WINDSOR 8/141


Windsor travelled to Kew to begin the second round of TVL Division 1 games last weekend. With Kew heading the table, it was always going to be a great challenge for the Home Park side.



Sadly the coin fell poorly for Nichols and Windsor where asked to bowl on a pitch that looked like it would take turn very early on. Windsor managed to knock over the top order with Vandermerwe (1/16) and Nichols (1/19) both grabbing scalps, but then it was the "Ben Harris Show" as the 18 year old picked up 7/52 in 18 overs, who along with Mohindru (0/52 off 19) managed to knock over Kew for 178. It was a par total in hindsigh considering Windsor had the home side 8/118, but the hot conditions gave rise to some tired feilding and bowling, where and extra 30 odd runs where leaked.



In reply Vandermerwe (20) and Vandenberg (30) got Windsor off to a good start, but a spell from Kidron Thomas slowed the rate to the extent Windsor needed 8 an over off 12 overs. Nair (12), Weston (14), Huggins (11) and Nichols (14) all needed to post bigger scores as San Jose (18*) and Borland (12) managed to survive to clinch the draw.


Windsor really needed to restrict Kew to around 20/30 less and bat alot more sensibly to be any chance of beating them, but has been the story for most of the season, the top order just couldnt get it together.


Windsor play local rivals Maidenhead & Bray next weekend at Home Park

WINDSOR FINALLY CLOSE OUT A GAME!

Huggins gets back in the runs with 61 v Cove at the weekend

WINDSOR 163
Huggins 61



Defeated

COVE 151

Windsor finally finished off a game with a magnificent crawl off the canvas effort against fellow Division 1 new guys Cove on the weekend. With both sides missing crucial players due to injury and availability, it was always going to be a real test of each clubs depth.

Windsor won the toss and decided to bat first and managed to get to 2/65 at drinks at 17. This par total was expected to be a solid launching pad for the 2nd third, but Windsor then lost 6 for 28 to be 8/93 due to a mixture of lazy batting and fine bowling. An amazing rear guard action was launched though as Huggins (61) and Borland (15) put on 70 runs for the 9th wicket and really silenced a justifiably cocky Cove outfit to get Windsor to a reasonable 163.



Windsor could sense Cove lost the ascendancy in that last stanza of the first innings and wanted to push that home in the 2nd, where the skipper Nichols (2/12) got his side off to a brilliant start getting a wicket with the first ball.



The game see-sawed until a devastating spell of fast bowling from Borland (3/35) including real pace and bounce aimed at Coves middle order buckled the home side to be 8/107. The game was on a knifes edge until spin twins Harris (1/31) and Mohindru (2/35) claimed 1 of the last 2 wickets each to finally finish off the Cove side and bring a welcome 25 points to Home Park!

Windsor have welcome problems next week with 4 1st team players back available for selection after missing last week, making selections for this week ends encounter with league heavy weights Kew difficult. They will need all hands on deck to beat this very impressive Kew side who lead the TVL table.

WINDSOR STRUGGLE TO GET AN EVEN BREAK...

Ben Harris claims his best figures for the season with 7/71 in the tied game v High Wycombe

WINSDOR 9/183



Tied with



HIGH WYCOMBE 8/183



Windsors luck just cant come in, as they saw match day injuries play a crucial part in their match with High Wycombe at Home Park on the weekend.



Windsor lost the toss and where asked to bowl where Nichols and Vandermerwe consistently beat outside edges, and chances either dropped short or went over fieldsman's heads! Spin was introduced early and from here Windsor gained the momentum. On a great batting deck Mohindru (0/57) off 22 overs and Harris (7/71) off 20 overs done a sublime job in pegging back the opposition. The 18 yo Harris in particular was brilliant getting his first big haul in Division 1 with massive rip and guile through the air.



One interesting facet on the day though was in the last 10 overs, Windsor lost 4 players (that's right FOUR) to injury! Vandermerwe (quad), George (groin), Birch (hamstring) and Mohindru (hip) all went lame, meaning Windsor only had 6 able bodied guys in the field! When will the luck turn?!



Windsors chase started positively with and it was Weston (58) and Vandernberg (55) putting together that crucial partnership to get Windsor in target. With 10 overs to go and 70 Windsor had 6 wickets in hand to launch an assault, and skipper Nichols 40 (off 21 balls) changed to whole complexion of the game to the extent upon his departure, Windsor only needed 6 runs off 1 over with 4 wickets on hand!


Sadly though, Windsors inexperience was on show, combined with the fact that runners where required for injured batsmen 9/10 and 11, the home team could not keep their heads as 3 run outs where affected in the last 6 balls with only 5 runs scored, meaning a lossing draw.


Windsor hope that the lessons learnt from this game and the Thatcham Town encounter will put them in good stead in futures fixtures, and also hope that maybe a little luck will shine down on them at one stage this season!

WINDSOR SPANKED!

Arrie Vandemerwe, one of the few to hold their heads up after a spanking from Burnham on the weekend.

WINDSOR 118

Defeated by

BURNHAM 6/120

Windsor travelled to Burnham on the weekend to sadly deliver their worst performance of the season.

Upon losing the toss, Windsor were inserted on a "spicy wicket" where Mo Fazal bowled a brilliant spell to have Windsors top order reeling at 4/30. The middle order and tail thankfully wagged with Nichols (21), George (25), Vandermerwe (28) and San Jose (20) all getting starts to get the total beyond the 100 mark. One of these lads HAD to get beyond 50 and start a partnership to really have any chance.

Windsor where always 60 runs too short, and with Nichols (1/19) having Burnham star Aftab Khan dropped behind on 8, Windsor's hopes where dashed. Thankfully Vandermerwe (2/32), Harris (2/35) and Mohindru (1/38), all bowled well, but it was a case of not enough runs being on the board.

With lessons learnt, Windsor play host to High Wycombe next weekend.