Local derby decided by major collapse
Windsor 66 all out 28 Overs (Dick 6 for 18)
Datchet 67 for 1 20 Overs
After the disappointment of the previous weeks last over loss, Windsor were looking to the local derby against Datchet to make amends. Unfortunately for Windsor, the desired result was far from what occurred. With overcast conditions prevalent and rain forecast within the next twenty-four hours, the conditions were perfect for seam and swing bowling, so upon winning the toss Datchet inserted Windsor to bat first.
Windsor openers Bird and Davis found the conditions difficult and tight Datchet bowling saw only 18 coming off the first 10 overs. With Datchet opening bowlers Andy Dick and Luke Shepherd produced prodigious swing and applied extra pressure. Bird looked to force the proceedings but only found the leading edge of his bat and he popped a catch to James Dick off his brother’s bowling. Millman joined Davis, but he too could not get going and was unlucky when Shepherd had him trapped lbw. Huggins soon joined him back in the pavilion shortly afterwards and Windsor were struggling with only 30 on the board for 3 wickets. Nichols provided some resistance and Davis looked to counter attack, but he soon fell to a fine out-swinger from Dick. When Riches became the 5th wicket, Davis tried to counter attack, only to fall as well for 17. Brief cameos from Mohindru and Lines had little affect on the score and a fine Datchet fielding performance saw Windsor bundled out for just 66. Andy Dick was the pick of the bowlers with 6 wickets.
The Datchet reply got under instantly, however a similar pattern of tight bowling from Windsor did not produce the same result. Despite finding good movement, Windsor opening bowlers Nichols and Malloch were unable to break the Datchet openers Mark Shepherd and Mark George. With such a low total to defend, the runs would come along slowly but surely. The introduction of spin saw Windsor take their first wicket with a fine spinning delivery from Mohindru. But neither he nor his spin partner of Mark Lines could build sufficient pressure and Datchet cruised home to a 9 wicket victory.
A comprehensive victory for Datchet was also a real shot in the arm to the Windsor first team. With so many batsmen losing their wickets to playing across the line, the wet early season conditions are not being adapted to. Some hard work and practice will be put into place to make the result this week merely a blip. Solace may be taken in the fact that of the five Division 2A games played last Saturday, three resulted in very low scores, which may be in part due to the poor conditions.
The Windsor team will look to bounce back this weekend with Hillingdon Manor visiting The Home Park.