Stoke Green 71 All Out; 19 Overs (Hartridge 7 for 39, Kemp 3 for 36)
Windsor 74 for 2; 17.3 Overs
With the sun beating down on picturesque Slough, Windsor 2’s travelled the short distance to local rivals Stoke Green on Saturday for their third league game of the season. Upon winning the toss and considering the pace attack at his disposal, Windsor skipper Davis made no hesitation in asking the home team to bat first.
Tom Hartridge and Brendon Kemp took the new ball and both immediately made inroads into the Stoke Green batting. Hartridge, in between three no-balls, manage to the edge of the Green’s opening bat and saw a fine catch taken by George at slip. Kemp immediately join in on the action, removing the fellow opener in his first over to. With Windsor on top, Kemp continued to take wickets including Green skipper Bourne to a second fine catch by Care behind the stumps. With 4 down, Stoke Green started to counter attack as the dangerous Patel looked to start where he had left off last year with some lusty blows. However, with his favourite areas covered, Hartridge removed Patel to a fine leg cutter that trapped him plumb in front. After removing a wicket with his next ball and a cluster of wickets a few overs later, Hartridge missed out on his hat-trick by the narrowest of margins on two occasions. Rashid Awan replaced Kemp after his fine opening burst, but with Hartridge removing the last man in the very next over, his spell proved to be somewhat shortened. The Windsor seam attack of Hartridge and Kemp proved too much for Stoke Green as they were all out for 71 in just 19 overs. With Kemp finishing with 3 for 36 off 9 and Hartridge taking 7 for 39 off 10 overs.
Windsor’s reply started off a little shakily as first Jordan went to an adventurous shot with the score of 4, then Davis went wafting outside off-stump with the score on 30. In form Chris George carried on where he left off partnering Chana to steer the ship home as Windsor cruised to an 8 wicket victory in just 17.3 overs.
A fantastic win epitomised the Windsor 2nd team’s start to the season, as whilst an individual performance stood out, the team ethic and enjoyment of watching others play to their potential has seen hard work pay off so far. The team’s work ethic will face another test this coming week as Windsor travels to Harefield to take on their 2nd team. With both club starting the season strongly, it will require another good performance to maintain the momentum produced so far this season.