Windsor wilt in the sun
Windsor travelled to Fleet on what was the hottest day of the year looking to keep up the pressure on Marlow after last weeks below par performance. Windsor were without their skipper Weston so the ‘weird ginger’ Adam Allen-Turner was captain for the day. Much to the relief of the side Allen-Turner won the toss and Windsor elected to bat on a pretty flat wicket looking to wear Fleet down in the sun.
The tone was set early by Sam Jordan who tucked in to some pretty average bowling first up. He managed to farm the strike from his partner Nichols and there were already 3 boundary riders in the 8th over. Unfortunately Jordan couldn’t kick on and was dismissed caught behind for 41 looking to run one down to third man. Number three Lines was dismissed shortly after to a good nut for one. Nichols however was proceeding serenely at the other end and teamed up with Huggins just as the spinners were introduced.
The fleet spinners bowled accurately and unfortunately when the bad ball did come Nichols could only cut it tamely to point. Number 5 Gould came and went quickly leaving Windsor reeling at 70-4. This brought skipper Allen-Turner together with Huggins in an effort to rebuild the Windsor innings. They negotiated a tricky period from the fleet spinners and began to score more freely, cheered on by Honky Tonk Hartridge fresh from Magaluf sporting a questionable nipple piercing and pair of tighty whiteys and George Gould in a pair of short shorts.
Unfortunately just as Huggins was beginning to free his arms he was unluckily bowled off his pad. Malik (having left his brain in slough that morning) followed Huggins back to the pavilion shortly afterward after bunting a longhop to mid off. Hartridge and Allen turner were then quickly dismissed with Windsor at 140-8 it was left to Care, Mohindru and Kellard to drag Windsor up to 175 thanks to the trusty cut of Care and with no help from the umpire giving Mohindru out LBW off his bat.
Windsor knew they would have to bowl well in order to defend 176 on a very flat deck. They took the old ball with the tried and tested combination of Mohindru and Nichols. Fleet got off to a solid start before Nichols took the first wicket with around 35 on the board. A bowling change brought a wicket for Malik and Windsor started to turn the screw with Mohindru and Malik both dotting up and Allen turner setting some inspired fields which were both attacking and run saving. Mohindru picked up another wicket and at 70-3 Windsor knew they were in the game for 25 points. Unfortunately for Windsor the young fleet no.3 played an innings of maturity and, despite a limited amount of shots, made the bowlers bowl to his areas and picked them off when they were loose. Malik and Mohindru both picked up another wicket apiece after which Windsor took the new ball but it was not enough as Bywaters guided fleet home with a few overs to spare and a very well played 93 not out. An example of the sort of application needed to win games for your side.
Windsor brought 10 points back with them to home park and will be looking to come out hard as the second round of games begins next week with a trip to Finchampstead.
Match Highlights
S Jordan 41, Huggins 38, Nichols 30
Jordan-Nichols 1st Wicket Partnership 60
Mohindru, Malik 2 wickets
