Dark clouds rolling in…….

North Maids 227 for 8 (Stewards 103*, Hussain 65)

drew with

Windsor 186 for 9 (Hill 43*, Khan 5 for 42)

Windsor went to N Maids knowing that there was a lot to play for in these final games against a team that could be in the relegation battle with us. The game was starting at the earlier 12.30 time due to the light, but the sky was dark before the game even started! Hill lost the toss again and was was put into a cold field!

Without S Condon again, Windsor opened with Hill and Edge, both of which tied up each end from the word go. Edge made an early break through by removing Khan caught behind on 4. Hill soon removed Peachey and N Maids were faltering on 25 for 2 off 15 overs. After 9 overs, Hill replaced himself with the returning Hodgson, who immediately bowled his miserly line and length. Stewards confidently pushed the ball about and was quick onto anything short. The sky’s were darkening and the drizzle started but both teams were keen to try and get as much of a game in as possible. Returning batsman Davis was brought into the bowling attack as Hussain and Stewards were looking comfortable. Brian, trying hard to get his line and length made 2 key breakthroughs in his six overs removing Hussain and Saleem. Hodgson, had little luck with 3 chances in the air went begging. Malik was brought on after the drizzle stopped to see if Windsor could tempt some lofted shots. The N Maids batsmen started to run away with the runs, but Malik removed Benningshaw and Attiq. Hill and Edge came back into the attack 6 overs from the end to try and stem some runs, but found it difficult to bowl with what only can be described as a bar of soap! They picked up a wicket each in this final spell, but N Maids had posted an impressive target of 227 off their allocated 52 overs.

As the players walked into tea, the heaven’s opened and it started to rain quite hard, and the covers were put on. After long conversations between the captains, and the eagerness to try and get a result for both sides paramount, the Windsor Innings started in drizzle, with Mullins umpiring in his waterproof fishing gear! N Maids, going for the 25 points took the old ball and opened with spin to try and tempt the Windsor batsmen into getting themselves out. Hill wanted Windsor to go all out for a win from the word go as we had no idea how long we could play in the conditions.

Chana was out first ball bowled which brought Davis in quicker than he expected!! Noble and Davis stared the run chase in different ways. Noble his usual reserved pace, and Davis punishing the bad balls. After a series of tight overs, and the pressure building, Davis was caught out on 23 and Windsor were 45 for 2. George went in and hit out from the word go trying to get the run rate up. With the wet out field slowing the ball up and preventing some boundaries, Windsor were finding it hard to keep up with the required rate. A mix up on a run out saw George walking back to the pavilion, and Charters joining Noble. Noble fell on 34, Chartes and Patel fell for under 10 runs each and K Condon was out for 0 and Windsor were staring down the barrel again at 127 for 7. Hill joined Malik at the crease and was still keen on trying to get as many points as possible. Malik was removed by Khan and Hill decided to open his shoulders punishing the bad deliveries. Khan ended up on figures of 12 overs 5 for 42, which was a good effort with the old ball! The sky dried up and N Maids started to bowl seam up to remove the remaining batsmen. Edge hit some lovely shots but when he fell for 14, Hill decided to shut up shop with Hodgson providing a solid defence at the other end. Hill top scored with 43 batting number 9……… and Windsor limped to 186 for 9.

Batting batting batting. Windsor failed again to reach a target set to them against a team in the relegation battle. N Maids have to be thanked for going out to play in not very nice conditions to push for points on a day no other game in 3A was played. Windsor came away with 1 point more than they would have got for an abandonment………. Windsor are at home to top of the table this Sat.