Windsor 86 (5 Points)
defeated by
Beaconsfeild 2’s 176 (25 Points)
Nichols 4/35
In what can only be called an utter embaressment, Windsor totally capitulated to
Beaconsfeild 2’s on the weekend to hold on to outright 2nd last position. They stand 7 points behind 3rd last so all is not lost, but continued spineless performances like the one displayed last week will end their season sooner rather than later.
Windsor travelled to Beaconsfeild with hope, after the comeplete performance the week previous, but that proved to be a false dawn.
Nichols won the toss and decided to bowl on a hard wicket that would assist his seamers. he was nervous about the way the wicket would play in the final 50, but was confident his bowling could reduce the opposition to a managable target.
Nichols and Mallaoch (3/50) started well as the Beaconsfeild openers struggled to score. Nichols nearly put one in hospital in his 2nd over as Francis who was not wearing a helmet, managed to get the tip of his elbow in the way a brute of a ball making a beeline for his head.
As Francis duly had some protection run on straight after, Malloch removed him caught at midwicket by Millman. He than got the better of fellow Suter as he had him LBW to leave Beaconsfeild 2/21 after 10.
Both openers plyed away and Mallach claimed another in the 17th to have the home side 3/35.
With Nichols bowling maidens and Malloch inswing penetrating the batsmen Windsor looked well pressed to get the opposition to a minimal total.
Just prior to drinks Mohindru (3/38) was introduced and claimed 2 wickets in 2 overs to leave Beaconfield 5/60 after 26 overs.
From here Beaconsfeild through Skitt & Alexander posted a fine reconvery, gently putting on 97 before Mohindru struck to leave them 6/165 and open up the tail and give Windsor hope at reducing the opposition to less then 180.
Nichols then reintroduced himself and with some clever death bowling claimed 4 wickets in 4 overs to knock over the home side for 176.
It was a great performance from Windsor’s bowlers and in the feild as they restricted the home side on a good batting strip. It was also a fine performance from Skitt and Alexander, as they where the difference between windsor kncoking them over for less then 100, and getting the total they did.
Beaconsfeild took the old ball and and immediately had the gursts on the back foot, as off spinner Sullivan removed Birch out bowled.
It is fair to say that form here Windsor never recovered. Chorley was then run out leaving Windsor well and truly battered at 2/11 after 10.
The batsmen really struggled against Sullivan and allowed the offspinner to dominate proceeding as no one had the courage to counter attack. Millman was the out caught at cover and Chana finally was removed to leave the guests at an outright embaressing 4/30 after 20 overs.
From here Windsor where never going to win, as their top order could not muster the perserverance to deal with the fine bowling from Sullivan. Windsor could only score 37 runs to the drinks break after 25 overs. This broke any chance the middle order had of digging the side out of the hole as the home sides tails where up, the bowlers where set into dominate lines and Windsor capitulated.
Hartridge, Gregory, Malloch all where removed for single figure scores and Nichols and Mohindru tried a rear guard action to no avail. Baumgartner and young Harris tried in vein to steady the sinking ship but in the 44th over Beaconsfeild had their 25 point win.
To say it was embarressing is an understatment. Sullivan ended with 6/38 and without any shadow of a doubt dominated some of the inept Windsor batting, who seemed incapable of playing descent spin on a turning wicket.
The selectors have many questions to ask on Monday evening, but not as many as the players do in the next few weeks! Windsor seem incapable of putting together 100 overs, and unless something changes soon, They could be testing their wares in Division 3B…
Windsor host Finchampsted next week and a better showing will be required to help get their season back on track.