Newbury given the Birch.

Newbury 139-9 (Birch 7-21)
Windsor 140-6

Windsor traded league places with Newbury in the sun at the weekend after a blistering spell of bowling from Oliver Birch who in the space of 4 overs completely turned the game on it’s head. Losing the toss on what looked like a batsman friendly wicket it looked like Windsor could have been in for a bit of hard work as Newbury elected to bat.

Opening with Chris Edge and the ever improving 16 year old Sam Condon Windsor were economical restricting Newbury to 3 an over from the first 10 overs with both Ansty and Uden lucky to survive a few close calls especially between the wickets at such an early stage. The restriction of Condon only being able to bowl in 6 over spells brought Abe Smith into the attack and although he became loose early on he then tightend the screw until Edge after beating Uden bat continually had him caught behind in the 20th over as Newbury reached 60-1. However it was the introduction of the blonde bomber Oliver Birch who produced a spell to remember as he quite literally tore through the Newbury top order. After trapping the dangerous Anstey LBW, Jones, Meerza, Hanabe and Ferguson all went cheaply to leave Newbury reeling with Birch claiming 4-16 in his first 4 overs. Although Newbury tried to recoup and finishing their 52 overs 9 down 139 was somewhat short of par. With Birch taking a superb 7-21 from his 14 overs.

With a tricky run chase to go Windsor started steadily with Rob Noble and Paul Huggins seeing off the new ball threat with Hanabe for Newbury picking up the pace and asking questions of the openers. After hitting 2 fours Huggins played onto his stumps and Newbury’s tails were up when Richies went LBW two balls later. However Abe Smith looked confident and he and Noble continued to score steadily although a good catch at backward point saw Newbury again get their hopes up. Mahmood Mirza and Noble took the score past 100 to take the pressure off although both again fell in quick succession. However, some good clean hitting by Ryan Doye and suitably to wrap up a great day for Oliver Birch as he pulled to fine leg for 4 to hit the winning runs Windsor in the 40th over.