Windsor (218 –5, Birch 88)

bt Chalfont St Peter ( 171 all out)


Windsor comtinued their recent good Sunday form with a well earned victory over Chalfont St Peter. On a pitch which was as flat as the proverbial ironing board, Windsor batted and soon had the visitors on the back foot as Robert Noble and Oliver Birch ran well and put away the bad ball in a good opening stand. Birch in particular was impressive, and when Noble was removed in the 15th over for 22, Windsor had 81 on the board. Birch soon passed fifty and was looking good. Indeed it came of something of a surprise when he was bowled for a fine 88, with the innings only at the half way point. Chalfont’s spinners put the brakes on well, but Huggins (20) and Weston worked the ball around well to ensure Windsor would get up to 200 and beyond. When Weston fell for a well made 45, It was left to Ben Lickley(13*) and Richard Gregory to get Windsor to 218 –5 off their 40 overs. No more than par on a good surface.

In the early evening sunshine Chalfont were out of the blocks quickly, seizing on anything off line. Gregory in particular came in for some stick, and his replacement, off spinner Ben Harris, did little better initially, as the visitors put on an opening stand very to similar to Windsor earlier in the day. The breakthrough came from leg spinner Chris Kellard, who dismissed both openers in quick succession. When Usman Ahmed removed Chalfonts no. 3 things suddenly looked different at 92-3. Harris then picked a wicket and Kellard 2 more to completely change the game, which saw Chalfont struggling at 110-6. When Kellard picked up his 3rd wicket, in a fine spell of 32-4 off 8 overs, he secured his 200th senior wicket. A fine performance from a very promising young leg spinner. Windsor will hope that this is just the beginning, and that the sight of Chris Kellard wheeling away with his leg spin at Home Park will be seen for many years to come. With Chalfont now up against it, Adam Weston was introduced with his gun barrel line and length. This paid dividends as he picked up 3 wickets, to leave Chalfont 9 down for 171. Weston’s 3-30 added to a useful 45, made for a fine match for the Australian. Richard Gregory was then introduced and in his first over back bowled Chalfont’s no. 11 and Windsor had won a good victory by 47 runs.

Farnham Royal 177 all out (Harris 3-20)

lost to

Windsor 178 –2 (R.W. Noble 76*, V.Nair 54*)

Windsor got their Sunday season back on track with a comprehensive 8 wicket success over neighbours Farnham Royal, in a game where Windsor Impressed in all departments.

On a reasonable wicket, which would only get drier, Windsor opted to bowl first, although struggled initially as Ian Pulsford was quickly on to anything short from opening bowlers Ahmed and Birch. However, once Birch had trapped Pulsford in front for 31, Windsor never really lost their grip, playing tight cricket, which resulted in 2 run outs. Ian Bucknell and Dan Simpson tried to get Royal to something respectable but Windsor’s bowlers bowled intelligently. None more so than Ben Harris whose excellent spell of 3-20 off 8 overs was complemented by some excellent work in the field. Weston and Birch both got through 8 overs each, going for under 4 an over, and Farnham Royal’s total of 177 looked a little short of par, on a surface getting better as the day wore on.

In reply, Robert Noble and Harmeet Chana got Windsor off to a good start, putting away the loose ball when offered. After 2 glorious boundaries, Chana chased a wide delivery which probably would have been called a wide, and only succeeded in directing straight to point for 16, with Windsor on 27. Ollie Birch hit a couple of pleasant drives before he had his off stump knocked back, and at 50 –2, Farnham Royal sensed they might be in the game. However, Vishal Nair joined Noble, and the pair gradually took the game away from the visitors. With sound defence and good execution of the loose ball, both batsmen looked increasingly at ease. At the drinks break, Windsor had reached 100-2, and in the early evening sunshine, a relaxed Windsor camp watched Noble and Nair continue to work there way to the 178 needed. Noble reached 50 shortly after drinks, and with Nair growing in confidence, the result never looked in doubt. When Farnham Royal finally turned to some spin it seemed too little too late. Indeed this did put a bit of a brake on the scoring, but with plenty of overs to spare Noble and Nair could afford to be watchful. Young Nair also went to fifty with a couple of big leg side shots which pleased the balcony after a fairly sedate few overs. Victory finally came in the 34th over as Nair pulled a one bounce 4 to the boundary.

As both batsmen walked off in the glorious evening sunshine, they could reflect on a job well done. Noble had soldiered through the whole innings for 76 not out, having been on the field for the entire game, while Nair again showed his considerable promise with an unbeaten 54. This was a good win for Windsor, good tight bowling, keen fielding and a well timed run chase which showed not only the depth of talent Windsor have currently, but also showed an excellent team spirit which bodes well for the future of the club

Chipperfield 221-5 (40 overs)

Beat

Windsor 166 all out ( 35.2 overs)

On 22nd June, Windsor made the lengthy journey to Chipperfield as part of their Sunday league programme, where found excellent facilities and a pleasant location. Chipperfield won the toss, and Windsor’s rather inexperienced opening attack of Usman Ahmed and Sam Jordan, failed to make early inroads as Chipperfield’s openers enjoyed the easy paced wicket and the all to regular loose ball. It was tough going for Windsor who despite working hard in the field, faced an uphill battle to contain their hosts. Captain Umar Malik had little bowling at his disposal, trying out Vignesh Venkatragaman and Dave Riches before he turned to himself to finally get the breakthrough with a caught and bowled with the score on 113. Despite a good spell from Malik, and leg spinner Chris Kellard, who was intelligently used to bowl the last 8 overs, Chipperfield ended their allotted 40 overs on 221-5. Indeed this could have been a lot more if it wasn’t for some spirited fielding and restrictive slow bowling towards the end of the innings.

Windsor’s reply got off to a positive start with Harmeet Chana and Robert Noble working the ball around well in pleasant late afternoon sunshine. However with the score on 38, and on the verge of greater things, Noble nicked on behind. This was a story of the innings as Chana scored runs steadily from one end, only to loose partners just as they were getting set. After Noble’s departure, Riches, Doye, Malik and Nair all played all to brief cameos. Chana went on to a well deserved 50, but by the time Jordan had been run out, and wicketkeeper Care had been undone by a slower ball, the game was up for Windsor. Chana finally fell for a battling 71, but this was the only innings of real substance, and Windsor were finally all out for 166.

This was a enjoyable days cricket, at a nice location. Windsor with a rather limited side had certainly not disgraced themselves but ultimately fell some way short of challenging Chipperfields total. They needed a bowler or 2 more, and needed a couple of batsmen to support the man in form. This however should not detract from a good team spirit which no doubt will bounce back soon.