Hampton Hill 178 All Out (Hampton 78, Exworth 61, Condon 6 for 38)
Windsor 2’s 179 for 4 (Davis 58*, Huggins 57)
After a frustrating week of watching competitors in the league pick up points whilst not being able to play, Windsor 2nds got their league campaign back running again at Hampton Hill. On a hard looking deck, Windsor once again lost the toss and was invited to bowl first.
As in the previous game, Windsor got off to a flier with Hill picking up two wickets in his first 4 overs. With Condon bowling well at the other end Davis replaced Hill and also took a wicket with his first ball. Hampton Hill immediately found themselves on the back foot and it was at this point Condon blew the innings wide open. After struggling for form in the weeks of the season, Condon suddenly let fly removing key man Fullocks who shouldered arms to a ball that cut sharply back in. His first wicket seemed to relax Condon and with pace and accuracy he went on to take a further 3 wickets. When skipper Exworth joined Hampton the score was on 62 for 7 and the home side were in some trouble. However an incredibly resistant 8th wicket partnership of 116 saw Hampton Hill towards a competitive total and frustrated Windsor. When Exworth finally fell for 61, giving Condon his fifth wicket in the process, the game had truly turned on its head. Sensing the chance to close the innings out, Condon and Kellard quickly wrapped the innings up with Hampton the final wicket to fall for 78. Hampton Hill had reached 178 all out off 45.1 overs, giving Windsor 54 overs to reach the target.
Windsor started strongly, but were unfortunate to lose the wicket of Butt lbw in the 10th over. Huggins joined Chana and they quickly set about building the chase. A fifty partnership was formed as Huggins drove well and Chana was brutal on anything short. The introduction of spin seemed to bring out some demons from the Bushy Park pitch and the loss of Chana for 20 to one that kept low, slowed Windsor somewhat. Mirza, who had endured a number of tough overs, finally succumbed to a sharp catch by the Hampton Hill keeper. This wicket brought skipper Davis to the crease, who soon showed his intentions clear by hitting Hill’s skipper Exworth for three consecutive fours. With Huggins supporting well, Windsor drove towards the target and withdrew the last hope from the Hampton Hill bowlers. Huggins (57) would fall shortly after another fine fifty, but it was left to Davis (58 not out) and Murray (12 not out) to guide Windsor home to a 6 wicket win with 8 overs to spare.
It was a great bounce-back for Windsor after a couple of disappointing losses and showed good character in the team. Condon’s bowling stole the honours for the day as he really showed the promise he has long had.
This week Windsor 2nd team have Amersham 2nd team visiting them at Home Park for what should be an interesting encounter.