Wooburn Narkovians 193 All Out 51.4 overs
Rogers 60
Davis 6-40
Windsor 126 – 7 48 overs
On a warm, but slightly overcast day at the Home Park Windsor entertained Wooburn Narkovians in their 1st game back at level. In light of recent batting displays Skipper Huggins won the toss and elected to field first to make use of any early assistance the conditions may have to offer. However, Windsor soon found themselves on the receiving end as Wooburn got off to a flier. Opener Rogers was quick to pounce on anything off line as the ball flew to all parts with Gregory coming in for some harsh treatment. Lewis was introduced to the attack at the expense of Gregory in attempt to stem the flow of runs, however he to found the going tough and was withdrawn after three costly overs. At was at this point Dean who had been toiling away at the other end gave Windsor their first break through as opener A. Tennant attempted to pull a short pitched ball only to top edge the ball high into the air and the catch been taken comfortably by keeper George. This brought White to the crease who was quickly into his stride seizing on anything short or full. With Bean tiring and the score still rattling along at 5 an over Windsor opted for the double bowling change introducing Davis and debutant Harris into the attack.
This signalled a change in the game as both settled quickly into a steady line and length. It was Davis who struck first trapping White LBW for 23 to leave Wooburn 99-2 in the 20th over. From here the scoring began to slow with Windsor’s fielders backing up the efforts of Davis and Harris. Rogers passed a well earned 50, however, departed shortly after cutting Harris to point. From here on Windsor showed great spirit as they fought their way back into the game. Regular wickets then began to fall as Wooburn struggled with the inswing of Davis as he ran through the middle order. Next to go was Cuthbert bowled by Davis for 8 closely followed by Hall LBW for 0. Barker and Cutherbert then looked to consolidate, however, Davis was to be denied as he removed both care of some sharp work behind the stumps by George with Cuthbert caught for 30 and Barker stumped for 15. With the overs running out the Wooburn batsman carried on in pursuit of 200 and maximum batting points. Wickets continued to fall though with Aslam was stumped for 3 off a wide by George off the bowling of Davis and Small holing out to Gregory at long on off the bowling of Harris for 13. The last wicket fell in the final over when Clarke was run out courtesy of some good work by Harris off his own bowling as Wooburn innings closed on 193. Davis finished with the impressive figures of 6-40 off 18 overs and was well supported by Harris who finished with 2-62 from his 18.
Windsor knew they had battled back well when early on it looked as though they would be chasing a score well in excess of 200.
Windsor’s reply got off to a poor start as Skipper Huggins departed for 7 off the bowling of Small to leave the score at 18-1. This brought Riches to the crease who looked to be in fine touch striking some crisp boundaries off the bowling of M.Tennant. However, he soon departed caught at cover from a leading edge off the bowling of Small for 15 as he looked to play through the mid wicket area. As has been the case so far this season the Windsor innings quickly ran into trouble as regular wickets fell as Gregory and Hartridge were bowled by Tennant. Davis struck a couple of sweet boudaries before been caught behind off Tennant for 10. Noble departed shortly after for 23 off the bowling of Barker and the Windsor innings was in real trouble at 66-6. With so few wickets in hand and the run rate in excess of 5 and over the only option was to bat time and pick up as many batting points as possible. George and Malik showed great patience as they batted time putting away the bad balls as they came along. Wooburn rotated their bowlers as they went in search of further wickets and the match appeared to be heading for a draw until Aslam trapped George LBW for 31 in the 45th over. Malik and Harris though showed good sense in batting out for the draw with Harris hitting opening bowler Small back over his head for 4 to secure an additional batting point as Windsor finished on 126-7 with Malik unbeaten on 23.
Skipper Huggins was satisfied with the result given Windsor had not played their best cricket, but had worked hard throughout the game after a difficult start and was impressed by the bowling of Davis and 17 year old Harris. However, the batting will need to step up a number of notches if Windsor are to register their first win of the season away at Hayes next week.