Farnham Royal 215-9 (52 Overs) (Peacock 57-4)
Windsor 208-9 (48 Overs) (Mangat (S) 66, Lines 47, Lickley 19)
Windsor 2’s remain without a win in Division 4a this season, although for the third game in a row, they managed to put themselves in winning positions before not quite managing to get over the line.
Losing the toss Royal decided to bat first and the experienced Pulsford and Bopara who despite surviving a strong LBW appeal on the second ball of the game managed to consolidate and put Royal on a good footing at 40-0 after 12 overs. However, the opening bowling pair of the two Mikes, Chambers and Peacock were both rewarded as Windsor started to get back into the game reducing Royal to 75-4 after 20. A regroup by the dangerous looking Nawaz and Ali looked like Royal were getting away but the introduction of Sim Mangat had Ali caught sweeping and when Ali nicked behind to Edge, Windsor were back in the game looking to wrap the Royal innings up sharply. However captain Bucknell, despite never really looking fluent held the lower order together as the sun beat down on the Windsor bowlers and managed to get Royal up to probably a par score of 215 using their full allotment of 52 overs, Peacock unlucky not to register a 5 wicket haul with his 57-4 from 18 overs.
Windsor’s reply got off to the worst possible start as McInerney was run out for just 1, although from then on both Rob Noble and Sim Mangat began to get about the bowling, especially Mangat who after surviving two dropped chances by the Royal fielders began to get after the bowling and accelerate the scoring bringing his 50 up in fine style and Windsor’s chase was looking comfortable despite the introduction of Nawaz, who although could get the ball from a-b quite quickly, never really found the right line to trouble the batsmen too much. However, it was the bowling of the experienced Nicholas and spin of Nawaz that once Mangat and Noble were out put the brakes on Windsor’s charge and although Das, Tuthill and Kurran Mangat tried to push the scoring on, wickets fell regularly and it wasn’t until the vice captain Lines came to the crease with some brutal drives and pulls began to get the runrate down and was ably supported by Lickley who rotated the strike intelligently and was also put the bad ball away when it came his way. Both batted superbly and with 11 to win going into the final over with 6 wickets down, it was game on. However, a smart catch at long off to remove Lickley was followed, 2 balls later by the run out of Lines and when Peacock was plum LBW first ball trying to force the ball to the unguarded fine leg boundary, suddenly with one ball to go, Windsor were 9 down and Royal had one ball to force the win. Mike Chambers semi solid defence to 5 yards in front of 1st slip whilst technically not a chance excited the Royal bowlers and Chambers got his first run of the season when a shy at the stumps found no-one backing up.
Another very good game of Cricket against a good bunch of lads, but one in which ultimately see’s Windsor sitting uncomfortably 3rd from bottom of the League a position which should be an embarrassment for their very talented team and who it’s hoped can find a response next week against High Wycombe.
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