Windsor CC v Egham CC
Egham 257 for 6 (40 Overs)
Windsor 180 all out (37 Overs)

A new look Windsor First XI took part in its first pre-season trial of 2007, traveling to Egham last Saturday. The day could not of got off to a worst start with debutant Tom Hartridge pulling a tricep in the warm up rendering him unable to bowl or bat for the duration of the trial! Things improved when skipper Wes Nichols won the toss on a docile pitch. To make the most of the trial conditions he wanted to challenge his side and sent the opposition in, the complete opposite of what he would have done in a league game! If he had known what was going to unfold in the next 20 overs, he would have reversed his decision!

The new opening bowling partnership of Birch and Nichols got off to a solid start but it seems that old habits diehard and Windsor yet again dropped 3 chances in the first 10 overs. No matter how much it is drummed into the players that catches win matches, they still seem to fall. Another bugbear of past season reared its weary head in the form of undisciplined bowling both sides of off stump, this combined with the batsmen becoming more confident on an unhelpful pitch for bowlers, saw Egham cruise to 0/147 after 20 overs.

Skipper Nichols read the riot act and the introduction of Mohindru prior to the break and Kellard just after slowed thing and the later got the key wicket of Egham Opener for 102. In a superb performance from the tweakers, wickets fell at regular intervals as Windsor contained Egham to 6/110 in the last 20 to set themselves 257 to win. Fact remained, that the target should have been more in the vicinity of 180, but for the mistakes made in the first 20 overs…

Kellard bowled well to a 6/3 off side field to show it a tactic he should be able to cope with all season. Mohindru, as always, supported the bowlers at the other end, by keeping runs to a minimum whilst picking up wickets. Birch also bowled well without luck and a bit more support in the field could have seen him end up with better figures. His spell at the death also pleased many.

Windsor then got off to a terrible start with Chorley nibbling at a wide one to leave Windsor 1 down after 3 overs. Millman and Davis then resurrected the innings with the pitch playing a few tricks. Davis was adjudged LBW for 18 to one that kept a little low after several balls flew off a length out side off stump. Huggins and Milman played tremendously well both building a partnership that should have won the game. Milman played a tired shot to a full toss and a few overs later Huggins after belting the ball everywhere, played a ridiculous premeditated shot across the line before drinks to lose his wicket and leave Windsor 4/130.

The introduction of Meadows, proved the nucleus of the Windsor capitulation. Nichols and Birch fell playing tame shots, leaving Riches to fly the flag for a valiant 27, proving he will be a real key to Windsor middle order when available.

All in all though it was a good start in the sense that we were able to identify issues that need to be dealt with for the 1st XI to be successful this season. Catches have to taken to capitalize on built up pressure, no one can afford to throw their wickets away and the side has to learn to play with a little more heart than what was displayed at times on Saturday. All they need do is look at a 12-year-old boy, who came in at number 11 for them and see the way he ground out on the field and with the bat in his hands.
Next week is Datchet where the side will get the chance to address the discrepancy found in the game last start