Windsor surprise a deflated Datchet

Datchet 134 all out; 35.1 Overs (J Granger 6 for 43)
Windsor 138 for 4; 24.5 Overs (Millman 57)

After a lot had been said from both sides in the local media, the much-hyped game between Datchet and Windsor certainly produce the drama that was expected this past weekend. After Datchet winning away earlier in the season, Windsor were looking to repeat the favour as they travelled the short distance to their local rivals. A near full-strength Windsor, packed with batting was asked to field first as Datchet looked to produce a considerable score for the visitors to chase.

With opening bowlers Nichols and Cornish moving the ball in the air and off the seam, Datchet were immediately under pressure when opener Tilly was removed for 1 by the latter in the 4th over. This brought Datchet’s skipper and “danger-man” Tim Alldiss to the crease to face the early movement. Nichols then produced the “ball of the season” to Alldiss, an away cutter that beat the bat, clipped the off bail but failed to dislodge it. Windsor were initially convinced the audible noise was bat on ball, but soon realised that it was in fact ball on bail, a good decision by the Umpire. With the trap set a deep point, Alldiss finally succumbed three overs later when he flashed at a wide one and skied down Doye’s throat. An ecstatic Windsor then pressed home the advantage, when first Nicholls removed Kash top edging a pull to Mohindru and Shepherd playing on to a wide off-cutter. Windsor own “Danger” was then introduced, and Justin Granger set about working his way through the remains of the Datchet line-up. First removing Smith with a ball that nipped away, with controlled aggression down the hill he picked his way through the Datchet line-up. The temporary resistance from the Jones brothers was belied by a smart catch by Millman in the gully and when brother Adam was the last man to go, Datchet were all out for 134 and Granger had figures of 6 for 43.

Windsor set about the chase in the worst possible way as, through some fine swing bowling from Andy Dick, they found themselves 40 for 3; losing Davis, Bird and Towse cheaply. Millman and Granger then built a match-winning partnership. Both picked up the run-rate significantly through aggressive batting, with Granger particularly brutal outside the off stump to Kash and Millman playing sumptuous cover drives off left-arm spinner James Dick. The final twist in the game came when Datchet had a sharp chance against Millman turned down off the bowling of James Dick. After this point, the game fell away quickly and after completing a fine 57, Millman finally fell to Andy Dick’s leg-spin with Windsor in sight of victory. Nicholls (14*) then joined Granger (44*) and both, whilst completing fine all-round matches, saw Windsor home in style.

The win keeps Windsor in second in Division 2A and increase the gap to twenty-two points on Datchet. Both have big games this weekend, with Windsor facing Basingstoke 2nd’s at Home Park, looking to avenge the loss they suffered earlier in the season. The race for the Division 2A title looks set to be a tight one and could provide an entertaining end to the season.