A perfect bit of England helps make Tony’s day

From www.thisiswindsor.com

BRILLIANT sunshine and the backdrop of the castle provided the perfect setting for the fourth President’s Day at Windsor CC – there was even a choir making an inpromptu appearance in the background, although not quite what you would expect, writes Andy Stiff.

Windsor President, Tony Monk, fielded a select XI against the club’s Sunday side and after long day’s toil at Home Park the sides retreated to the bar for a well-earned drink with an honourable draw.

It all started several hours earlier after a spot of lunch. The sides finally realised they would have to take to the field and the President’s XI, led by Beaconsfield’s Mark Shepherd made hay with the bat whilst the sun shone.

Gordon Morgan (Wraysbury) set the foundations of this big score with a well-executed 77, even though his left toe-nails would be suffering on Monday morning (see picture opposite). He put on 85 for the second wicket with Luke Shepherd (Beaconsfield) who made 36.
Hendrick Lowe (ICI Paints) played elegantly to contribute 37 to the total before Owen and Ieuan Watkins (both of Welsh side Usk CC), brothers of Saturday skipper, Deri, set about the Windsor bowlers with what Tony describes beautifully as ‘agricultural efficiency’.

The only balls landing on the nearby tennis courts were the hard, red variety as Ian (32no) and Owen (22) took a particular liking to Richard Charters. His figures of 3-17 after three overs became 4-53 after five. Tony’s XI closed on 269-7 and they still had their secret weapon, opening bowler Monk.

As it happens the veteran could not break through in his three overs. Matt Greene (23) and Andy Chorley (76) kept Windsor’s hopes high. The Celtic fire of the Watkins brothers put paid to any ambitions of Windsor. Owen took 3-35 and Ieuan also picked up a wicket.

Kevin Condon also returned figures of 3-35 and there was late hope for the scratch team when Shepherd took the ninth wicket, bowling out Wayne Spence with one ball left.

Warren Griffiths survived the last delivery and Windsor closed on 219-9, honours even – well almost....

“It was a draw but we were the better side, clearly!” joked Tony afterwards. “It was a splendid day’s cricket, you are always praying the weather will be good for you and it was spot on.

“I was also chuffed that so many players gave up their time to come and play. We had some really good cricketers from all around, I hadn’t seen Gordon bat before but knew he was a good player and he showed it.”

He also revealed his bowling spell was a little longer than planned. “I used to open the bowling many, many years ago and by tradition still bowl the first over in these games.

“I had the first over and it went well so the others said ‘Go on! Have another’. I did and again was not hit out of the ground so they told me to have one more.

“By then I think the batsmen had had enough and started to hit me so I quickly retreated from the attack!

“I was just very proud of everyone and the day could not have gone any better. I looked around the field at one point and it just looked like a perfect bit of England.

“You had Windsor Castle overlooking us and there were families having picnics in the shade, it was a lovely scene.

And as for the choir? “Well, some of the players were about to go on tour to Ireland and were leaving at 7pm.

“They could not play so I think were training their drinking arms,” added Tony.

“At one point they were all singing up on the pavillion balcony. I think some of them had taken a few too many liquid refreshments!”

RUN FEAST ON PRESIDENT'S DAY

The Windsor President's Match at the Home Park last Sunday 3rd August 2003 was blessed with glorious sunshine and sparkling cricket. After a wine laced lunch the President's All Stars X1, ably led by captain Mark Shepherd (Beaconsfield) piled on the runs to set Windsor Sunday First X1 a huge total to chase.

Gordon Morgan (Wraysbury) set the foundations of this big score with a well-executed 77 and put on 85 for the second wicket with Luke Shepherd (Beaconsfield) who made 36. Heindrick Lowe (ICI) played elegantly to contribute 37 to the total before the Welsh Brothers Owen and Ieuan Watkins (Usk) set about the Windsor bowlers. With agricultural efficiency they peppered the adjacent tennis courts (fortunately empty) in a Flintoff-like exhibition of power hitting. Richard Charters best bowling figures of 3 for 17 after 3 overs, rapidly became 4 for 53 after 5 overs. This run feast rounded of an impregnable total for the President's Team of 269 for 7 declared.

Windsor openers Mark Huggins and Matt Greene were temporarily encouraged by President Tony Monk's short opening spell and ex-captain Andt Chorley put together an impressive innings of 76 to keep Windsor in the hunt. However the Watkins duo had other thoughts. With a demonstration of speed and accuracy they steadily cut through the Windsor middle order with Owen the Express taking 3 for 35. Tristan O'Shannesy with 23 and Pete Thompson with 26 not out, managed to hold out against the guiles of Kevin Condon who also tppk 3 for 35. Only two Windsor wickets remained when Luke Shepherd returned to bowl out Wayne Spence in the last over. Last man Warren Griffiths dourly played out the last ball without adding to the Windsor total of 219 for 9 but more importantly denying victory for the President's strong side.

The President's social event and competitive game was the fiorst match in the Windsor Tour Week to Ireland and the day was an appropriate prelude enjoyed by everyone, both on and off the field.

Tony Monk
President Windsor CC
01753 861917

MATCH RESULT

PRESIDENT'S X1 v WINDSOR CC Ist X1
Sunday 3rd August 2003 at the Home Park Windsor

President's X1

1. G. Morgan bowled Spence 77
2. G. Tysoe bowled Thompson 8
3. L. Shepherd bowled Spence 36
4. C. Padalia bowled Charters 17
5. H. Lowe ct Huggins bowled Charters 37
6. M. Shepherd st Davis bowled Charters 14
7. I. Watkins not out 32
8. O. Watkins ct Chorley bowled Charters 22
9. K. Condon not out 1
10. T. Monk did not bat
11. A. Dick did not bat
Extras 24

Total for 7 wickets declared 268

Windsor CC Sunday 1st X1

1. M. Huggins run out 14
2. M. Greene bowled O. Watkins 23
3. A. Chorley ct Condon bowled Condon 76
4. B. Davis bowled O. Watkins 15
5. P. Huggins bowled O. Watkins 2
6. T. O'Shannesy bowled Condon 23
7. R. Charters ct O. Watkins bowled I. Watkins 18
8. S. Condon ct Morgan bowled Condon 3
9. P. Thompson not out 26
10. W. Spence bowled L. Shepherd 9
11. W. Griffiths not out 0
Extras 0

Total for 9 wickets 219

MATCH DRAWN