OMT 258 – 8 51.5 Overs
Broadley 76
Harris 3-108
Hartridge 2-40
Edge 2-59
Windsor 262 – 6 48 Overs
Malik 64
P. Huggins 61
Lines 58*
Windsor entertained early pace setters OMT on a bright but blustery day at the Home Park with a team showing no less than 6 changes from the side that performed so well the week before away to Hayes.
OMT won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked to be an excellent track and openers McCabe and Lamb soon provide this to be the case. The score moved along at a steady rate as both openers were quick to latch onto any loose deliveries and it soon started as if it could a long afternoon in the field for Windsor. After reprieve Lamb was the first to go for 22 as he was bowled by a full swinging delivery from Edge. This only served to accelerate the scoring as Broadley came to the crease and was instantly into his stride taking full advantage of the flat wicket and quick outfield.
In an attempt to slow the scoring Windsor turned to young spinner Harris, but he too found the going tough as Broadley struck his first delivery back over his head for 4 more. This set the tone for the next 10 overs as Broadley went on the offensive striking a number of boundaries as McCabe provided the support running quick 1’s and 2’s as they tested Windsor’s fielding. Charters was introduced the attack to further take the pace off the ball and from here Windsor started to claw their way back into the game. Windsor finally made a much needed break through when Bullock held onto one at long on from the bowling of Harris as Broadley departed for a brisk 76.
The OMT batsman were in no mood to let up as they continued in the persuit of quick runs. Next to go though was McCabe for 48 off the bowling of Harris and Windsor started sense they may be able to keep the score within reach. This brought the brother’s Winkle to the crease who mixed aggression with quick running as the scoring started to accelerate again. Hartridge was re-introduced to the attack and he made the break through clean bowling R. Winkle for 35. From here regular wickets fell as Turner quickly followed him back to the pavilion trapped L.B.W for 3 by Hartridge. Shergold came and went as he was bowled by Harris for a duck and it seemed there could be the opportunity to wrap up the innings early. Skipper Katz and M. Winkle had other ideas though as they produced a late burst with Harris on the receiving end. The introduction of Edge for the final over saw Katz depart for a breezy 19 well held by Harris over his shoulder chasing back at point. A mix up in the running saw Davis depart for 0 and OMT declared on 258 for 8 with a ball to spare with M. Winkle finishing up on 41 not out.
Windsor realised they would have to bat well if they were to get any where near the score despite the favourable batting conditions. Windsor’s reply got off to a solid start as openers Malik and Paul Huggins mixed defence with some solid stroke play against the new ball pair of Turner and Katz as the scoring moved along at 3 an over. With wickets not forth coming OMT rotated the bowling introducing the spin of Lamb and Richards, but, the innings continued to make steady progress with Windsor reaching 64 for no loss in the 20th over. From here both batsman started to up the scoring as 55 were added in the next 8 overs with both openers reaching their 50’s, Malik in particular noticeably growing confidence as he started lofting seamer McCabe back over his head for 4 off consecutive deliveries. This left Windsor with 140 required from the last 20 overs with all 10 wickets in hand, a tall order, but one which was definitely achievable.
Windsor lost their 1st wicket though as Malik aimed one big shot too many down the ground off the bowling of McCabe to be caught by Lamb at long on for a well made 64. This brought Mark Huggins to crease who appeared to be in no mood to mess around as he dispatched Davis for 6 from the first ball he faced, however, it would appear he struggling with his maths on this occasion as with 10 runs already taken from the 1st four balls of the over he aimed an ungainly swipe across the line to be bowled for 8. This left Charters and Paul Huggins to rebuild after 2 quick wickets. From here the scoring slowed as Charters struggled after taking a blow to the ankle whilst fielding and Malik had to return to the middle as his runner. With the pressure building Paul Huggins was the next to go caught at point from the bowling of Davis as he aimed a big shot over the top of cover and looked as if the Windsor innings looked to losing it’s way.
On this occasion youngster Mark Lines had other ideas as he and Charters soon upped the rate striking boundaries and pushing the OMT fielders hard turning 1’s into 2’s and it was game on again. Charters departed in the 43rd over caught behind off the bowling of Turner for 27 to leave the score at 211 for 4. Bullock and Doye came and went for 5 and 3 respectively as they perished in search of quick runs leaving Hartridge and Lines to continue the chase and the two showed a maturity beyond their years as they kept Windsor in the hunt. More clean hitting and good running left Windsor needing 30 to win from the last 3 overs and the runs continued to flow with Lines passing his maiden senior 50, leaving 10 required from the final. With Lines taking 1 from the first ball it was left for last weeks star with the ball Hartridge to step up with the bat. Two 2’s and a four left the scores tied with two balls to go. A play and a miss left the nerves jangling, but, Hartridge off the final ball of the innings struck Katz down the ground with a classic straight drive for 4 to seal a great first win of the season as he finished 20 not out.
It was great to get the first win of the season after coming so close the week before, but, what made it even more pleasing was that it was done chasing a challenging with younsters Lines and Malik sticking their hands up with 50’s and a great cameo by Hartridge at the end to win the game.