WINDSOR 8/188 (20 Points)
C Bird 56
defeated
FINCHAMPSTEAD (12 Points)
On the back of an awful batting display the previous game. Windsor brought a new look side into their encounter with Finchampstead. Along with Bird being recalled instantly into the side, Huggins and Murray were selected on the back of some quality performance in the 2nd XI.
A pristine deck was prepared for the game which both batsmen agreed, would be perfect for batting. Unfortunately Windsor lost the toss and Finchampsted where about to get the first use.
Windsor started very well with the ball, as has been the case in the last few weeks. Nichols picked up 2 in his 2nd over and Malloch got another in his 3rd to leave the visitors 3/3 after 6!
When Malloch, who was bowling some with some sublime rhythm got an off-cutter to jag back, he claimed his 2nd wicket and Windsor with their tails up looked to progress.
The Finch batsmen in Brown and James played a steady rearguard as they limped the total to 4/40 after 20 overs. both survived a spirited opening spell as Bevan probed with some attacking bowling and Nichols served up some very viscous bouncers that had both bats on the back foot.
As James started to play some shots he got a few chanced as he was dropped of Nichols at 2nd slip and some others chances fell short. It was Malloch who got his 3rd wicket as James played a shot too many to be caught by Murray on debut.
Brown played a good skipper knock as he has some fortune go his way with a few edges landing between fielders. He was dropped on 30 at mid-off and from here looked to settle as after 32 overs, the off spin of Harris was introduced and the lack of pace was too his liking as he brought up his 50.
As Nichols began to tire, the veteran Mohindru was introduced and both off-spinners begum to wear the Finch side down. It was Harris who got the break through as Murray accepted his 2nd catch at deep Square. From here wickets fell regularly as Windsor heaped pressure on the tail to restrict the visitors to 8/183
It was a fine performance based upon the continued great form of Nichols (2/44) and Malloch (3/55) , the guile of Mohindru (2/33) and the exhuberance of Harris (2/55), who incidentally took a spectacular catch of his spin twins bowling.
The consensus was that 183 was not enough and Windsor started the chase in style. birch timed some great shots but fell with the score on 40 to a mistimed sweep, but with Bird at the other end flaying the ball to all parts and Chorley picking up his fine form the score shifted to 1/99 until Bird after scoring his 50 was caught in front LBW.
Nichols and Millman fell for ducks before Chorley edged one to 14 year old keeper Lincoln (who is destined for a fine career), to push the game back in Finchs‘ favour at 5/135.
Some nervous overs ticked away as some excessive appealing from the Finch side showed their enthusiasm for the points. Just as Windsor looked to have the game in hand, Huggins departed on 22 to a shot he would rather forget, to once again swing the game and leave Windsor at 6/160.
As the game ebb & flowed, Murray was a constant as he picked up singles, and rotated the strike , with usual lower order saviour Malloch and once again the game seemed to move back into the home sides grasp.
That was until both Murray and Malloch departed in the space of 5 overs and with Windsor at 8/168, the game was anyones!
But it was the spin twins in Mohindru and Harris who showed nerves of steal to pull the game into Windsors grasp with fine cameos and remain not out as Windsor claimed their 2nd win of the season.
It was a descent performance in light of the efforts from the week previous. The selections of Bird, Huggins and Murray where substantiated as they accounted for half the home sides runs scored.
In saying that Windsor were very lucky, as had it not been for the 20 opposition byes let through during the course of the innings, the result could have been a bit different. In actual fact if Windsor had held all the chances offered they probably would have been chasing a target more like 150.
Some extra fielding drills will be offered during the week!
Windsor are still 2nd last on the table and with the side travelling to fellow cellar dwellers Burnham this Saturday, a win for either side will help alieviate any pressure heading into the 2nd half of the season.