Amersham 2’s 254 for 6 off 50 Overs (Colquohoun 86, D Ward 58*)
Windsor 2’s 150 All Out off 47.1 Overs (K Condon 54)

After a busy day of 6-a-side chaos the day before, Windsor made the trek into the Chilterns to play their vital TVCL Division 4A game against Amersham 2’s knowing that a win would put them very much in contention. After the losing toss, Windsor 2’s was asked to field first on what looked to be a great batting wicket.

Windsor’s opening attack of Greene and Lazaczuk started well and maintained a good line and length putting Amersham at 30 for 2 off 12 overs, with the former taking both wickets. This however, only brought arguably the best batsman in the division to the wicket in the form of Colquohoun. Whilst his partner at the other struggled to score, Colquohoun began to build a strong innings and was severe on anything loose. Windsor toiled without success and even the introduction of Kellard and Condon could not abate the scoring. When he was finally out to Greene for 86 (with Amersham on 136 for 4 at the time), the innings was well set. Relief at removing the best batsmen sound turned to frustration as Windsor could not stem the runs on a flat pitch, with Ward scoring a fifty that combined early patience with lusty hitting. A poor last ten overs saw Amersham post an imposing 254 for 6 off 50 overs.

The old ball and a pair of spinners confronted the Windsor openers and it was to prove to be crucial as Nair, Chana and Lines all departed cheaply, bringing skipper Davis to the crease with the score at 4 for 3. Sustained resistance and some counter-attacking saw Davis and No. 3 put on 50 for the 4th wicket, but the skipper fell to a loose shot outside off. Kevin Condon entered the fray and showed the undoubted talent that he has plundering a fine 52, creating partnerships with No. 3 and Lazaczuk on the way. Sadly the early loss of wickets meant Windsor were always on the back foot and after the elder Condon departed, Windsor were batting for a draw, As often happens in these circumstances, a crazy run out saw Kellard depart. The final wicket of Greene saw Windsor stumble to a 104 run loss that greatly affects their promotion chances.

On the whole it was a disappointing performance for Windsor, but one that must be seen as a learning curve. In a side made up of 5 Under-21’s, learning to play league cricket against an experienced opposition such as this can only help the team and hopefully iron out the inconsistencies that have plagued the season. With the league leaders visiting Home Park on Saturday, Windsor must win in order to have any hope of promotion going into the final game of the season.

Hampton Hill 137 All Out off 49.2 Overs (Kellard 4 for 55, Davis 4 for 35)
Windsor 2's 141 for 4 off 34 Overs (Malik 49, Chana 48)

After a poor loss to Stoke Green the week before, Winsdor needed to get back to winning ways in this TVCL Division 4A encounter. Upon losing the toss, Windsor were asked to bowl first.

Condon and Lazaczuk took the new ball for Windsor and Hampton took great delight in putting any width away. Hampton Hill sped to 45 for 0 after 10 overs, when Davis made a double-switch that had an immediate effect. Windsor's own Hill bowled well, picking up two wickets including the dangerous Hampton for 43 and Windsor were suddenly on top. After Hill was forced out of the attack with a hamstring strain, the old combination of Davis and Kellard took up the attack. The immediate effect was a slowing of the run rate, with one 10 over period resulting in less than 10 runs. Hampton Hill continued to lose wickets and when the final wicket fell to Kellard, they had been bowled out for 137 inside their 52 overs. Davis and Kellard both finished with 4 wickets a piece.

In reply Windsor quickly lost Nair to a misjudged pull shot. Charters and Chana steadied the ship and took Windsor onto 40, before Charters also fell to the same shot. Malik then entered the fray and with Chana built the partenrship that would see Windsor to victory. Both played well, with Malik striking some characteristically huge lofted drives and Chana striking deft touches for four. Sadly both players fell with their 50's and the winning line in sight. This left Lines and Lazaczuk to see Windsor home for an impressive 6 wicket win.

Windsor 2's 160 All Out off 51.3 Overs (N. Hussain 5 for 31)
Stoke Green 161 for 1 off 25.3 Overs (S.Patel 102*)

With the weather finally set fair, Windsor 2's made the short trip to Stoke Green for their Division 4A match. Upon winning the toss, Windsor chose to bat first on what looked to be a wicket suited for their spinners later in the game. This would prove to be the first crucial error.

The Stoke Green bowlers started very strongly. Bowling a containing line and length, they were able to exploit the conditions well and produced prodigious swing and seam. Chana was the first of many Windsor batsmen to loose his patience and was dismissed in the 6th Over. He was followed back to the pavilion in quick order by Huggins, Davis and Malik, all losing their wickets to impatient shots. It was only the patient innings of Jones and Care that steadied the Windsor ship and helped them pass 100. After the loss of Care, Lazaczuk strode to the crease and with a determined approach put the Stoke Green bowlers to the sword. His 37 off 20 balls helped Windsor to a respectable total of 160 All Out off 52 overs.

Patience was again an issue as Stoke Green began their innings, as Davis and Lazaczuk failed to bowl a consistent line and length. Despite picking up an early wicket, Windsor could never slow the run rate and Patel in particular took a liking to the short boundary on the legside. Kellard and Chana both bowled well, but struggled to supress Patel and Bourne from scoring freely. Chances that did come were not taken or dropped just short of the fielders and Windsor began to realise it was not to be their day. Patel brought up his century with a 6 over square off Kellard that also finished the game. Stoke Green won by 9 wickets in a game they had dominated.

Windsor now enter the the last 4 games firmly in the chasing pack still looking for promotion. Now 18 points behind 2nd place, only a positive approach and good performances will see Windsor gain promotion. This week Windsor 2's entertain Hampton Hill at The Home Park in a must-win game.

Windsor 186 for 4 off 46 Overs (Davis 52, Mason 47*)
Slough 69 for 1 off 9.3 Overs (Jetty 47*)

After two consecutive wins batting first, Windsor 2’s entered the local derby with Slough 3’s on a high but local at the skies with trepidation. After overnight rain and a week of heavy rain, Windsor won the toss and chose to bat first with the aim of scoring runs quickly.

Windsor openers Davis and Chana took advantage of the visitors lack of early numbers to get Windsor off to a flying start, reaching 45 for 0 after 10 overs. Davis then took particular toll on the full length that was being bowled at him and hit a number of straight drives for four. However, after reaching his half-century, Davis managed to find the only fielder deep on the legside and proceeded to caught for 52. This proceeded a mini-collapse and Windsor went from 94 for 0 to 95 for 3 in six balls. Mason and Lines began to steady the ship, with Mason in particular savage on anything overpitched. Malik joined Mason upon the loss of Lines and he and Mason proceeded to build a strong partnership. With characteristic lofted drives, Malik seemed to be finding some form and with Mason set Windsor up for a strong finish. However, the persistent rain that had been around during the innings saw an early tea and a long break. Windsor had achieved 186 for 4 off 46 overs when the innings was forced to a close.

After around an hour’s delay and with the match reduced to 88 overs, Slough set about the chase knowing that rain was in the air, so they threw caution to the wind. Jetty in particular was savage on anything full and raced to 47 before rain finally took its toll and washed the game out once and for all. Slough had reached 69 for 1 and were well set.

It was a difficult game to assess due to the bad weather, Windsor had played well but were thwarted by the poor weather around. It would have been an interesting game in dry conditions and the affect the weather had on the game drew the inevitable result of match abandoned as a draw.