Windsor 2nd XI 208 for 9; 52 Overs (Lines 58)
Amersham 2nd XI 209 for 4; 43.3 Overs (Colqhohoun 50, Aylott 51, Dolleymore 34)
Fresh on the back of a good win at Hampton Hill the week before, Windsor 2’s returned home to Windsor last weekend hoping to build a winning run. With the 1st team flying in their division, the team were hoping to add to the feel-good factor that they developed. On a dry wicket, Windsor skipper Davis had no hesitation to bat first in an attempt to set a strong total.
The Windsor innings got off to a good start as Chana (30) and Butt (24) registered a 60-run opening partnership. But as both fell to disappointing dismissals in the same over, the theme of the innings seemed to set in. With Ash’s off-spinners in particular gripping and turning, Amersham managed to register 5 successive maidens and crippled the Windsor run-rate. Huggins (16) and Nair (30) both tried to push the rate along, but both fell to soft dismissals trying to up the rate. Only Mark Lines managed to restart the flagging Windsor innings and along with Hill and Care, they managed to work the ball around the large ground and the pair took Windsor towards a respectable total of 208. This was only a par score and much less than Windsor had looked to be heading towards.
Amersham’s reply started in the worst possible way as, with old ball in hand, Kellard struck with the first ball of the innings with a sharp catch at short leg by Chana. This proved to be the last time Windsor had control of the innings as Colquohoun set about forcing the game away from the home team. Some inconsistent bowling was matched by merciless batting and he soon raced to 50. Windsor in the meantime had the disappointment of losing Hill (their leading wicket taker this season) to a groin injury. This greatly restricted the Windsor attacking bias and forced Davis to try to defend from one end with his bowling. Unfortunately, pressure could not be maintained and despite Condon removing Colquohoun for 50 and Kellard finally forcing a further wicket on the boundary. Some lusty blows from Aylott and Dolleymore kept Amersham ahead of the game and they coasted home with loss of only one more wicket. Whilst Amersham produced an excellent chase, it was a disappointing bowling performance by Windsor, especially considering the desire to be aggressive and win the game.
With a visit to league leaders Wooburn Narkovians up next on Saturday, Windsor 2’s need to return to doing the basics correctly. That being bowling one side of the wicket and building big scores out of good starts. This is basically the difference between winning and losing games, making Windsor somewhat unpredictable.