Windsor stutter as finish line beckons

Caversham and Redigensians 209-9 (Edge 52-3, Hodgson 70-3)
Windsor 173 (Smith 54, Birch 46)

Windsor are hitting a run of bad form at the worst possible time as they slipped up to now 3rd place Caversham and Readingensians at the weekend. With the original strip that was to be played on ruled out as the roller broke down prior to the game the match was switched at the last minute to the Sunday strip which was somewhat underprepared. Winning the toss Caversham elected to bat first and Edge and Birch made good use of the popping pitch to reduce Caversham to 48-3 from 15 overs. However, Windsor were never really able to capitalise and some lusty blows followed by patient batting saw Caversham move the score along. They then began to accelerate the scoring towards the end and completed their 52 overs to finish on a very good 209 considering that the track was far from true and a few of their batsman had to endure some body blows to keep their wicket intact.

Windsor in reply never really got going. With balls popping on a length with some even clearing the batsmans head the openers were unable to negotiate the new ball movement and were in dire straights after Rob Noble had been caught, Paul Huggins was then bowled before Nigel Wing clipped one to the wicket keeper the very next ball. On a hattrick Banergee drew Tim Smith into playing forward, the ball rose off a length clipping the shoulder of the bat and presenting an easy catch to short leg. Only a noball by a distraught Banergee kept Smith at the crease. Realising that trying to hang around may not be the best option Smith opened his shoulders and clattered his way out of trouble hitting a blistering quickfire 54 before finally being bowled. This gave Windsor some hope although quick dismissals of Tom Bullock, Abdul Ashraf and Richard Noble once again had Windsor almost dead and buried at 105-7. However Oliver Birch taking his lead from Tim Smith earlier and batting with a confident Stephen Eggenhuizen began to play shots all around the park including 2 enouormous 6’s taking on and clearing the man on the boundary twice. However the recall of Banergee saw Birch’s removal for 46 and despite Eggenhuizens best efforts Windor were finally dismissed in the 33rd over.

This result brings Slough to within 1 point of Windsor at the top although a 25 point win at home to High Wycombe next week will see Windsor clinch promotion regardless with Caversham playing away at Reading.