All-round Martin not quite enough

Finchamstead 4th XI 246/7 – Hopkins 98, Osler 52, Martin 3-36
Windsor 4th XI 171/5 – Martin 67*

An unbroken partnership of 109 between Scott Martin (67*) and Michael Gegg (23*) helped secure Windsor 4s a draw away at Finchampstead after the side had collapsed to 62/5 in their pursuit of 247 to win the game.

After winning the toss Windsor put Finchampstead into bat on what looked a hard and lively wicket. Two early breakthroughs by Rob Hodgson looked to put the visitors in command but a strong fight back by Hopkins (98) and Osler (52) put the home side on top. Scott Martin (3-36) and Stuart Hayward (2-21) brought Windsor back into the game and limited the home side to 246/7 off their 52 overs, when at one point 300 looked on the cards.

Windsor lost two quick wickets in their chase of 247 to win the game, and despite a cameo innings of 29 from Tim Houghton the visitors collapsed to 62/5 in reply. With over 30 overs remaining and knowing only the tail was to follow Scott Martin and Michael Gegg dug in against some excellent and very accurate bowling and their unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 109 maintained the side’s unbeaten start to the season.