Windsor return to winning ways

On a balmy afternoon in picturesque Amersham, Windsor were asked to bowl first in a crucial bottom of the table clash. Tall boy Huggins and miserly skipper Watkins set about the Amersham top order with plenty of aggression, offering nothing loose for much of the first hour. Indeed, by drinks at 17 overs, Amersham had managed only 28 runs. Huggins removed Andrews with the help of a blinding catch by Vice Skipper Thompson, and then Stephenson soon followed thanks to a three card trick from Watkins.

The introduction of Mohindru brought quick results, with fast hands Clifford doing his bit behind the stumps. First a blinding catch followed by a smart piece of stumping soon saw off Viney and Aylott. Veteran Wayne Spence and skipper Watkins then inspired the Windsor side with a couple of breathtaking run outs, Spence in particular rolling back the years. Mohindru carried on nagging away, finishing with 4 for 38, just deserts for some mystical tweakers.

Amersham finished with 155, 30 short of par and they will have been disappointed with a tame finish to the innings.

In reply Bird set about the attack with his usual blend of stout defence and flashing drives. On 16 he tried one big wipe too many, and was taken by a smart catch off opening bowler Davies. The usual middle order collapse followed, with Lishman cleaning out new boy Mathews and old stager Chorley in quick succession. Davies looked solid for a few overs before edging one outside the off stump, leaving Thompson and the erratic Huggins at the wicket. Windsor were rocking at 47 for 5. Thompson dropped anchor, applying the sort of grit and determination that has been lacking in the star packed Windsor top order. In total contrast, Huggins blazed from the off, spraying the Amersham attack to all parts of the ground. Spurred on by his glamorous girlfriend watching from the sidelines, Huggins recorded 11 4’s and 3 6’s in an all action unbeaten 66. It was fitting that the rock solid Thompson struck the winning runs as this kind of application is exactly what skipper Watkins will be asking for at home against Teddington on Saturday.

Amersham Innings – 155 for 10 (49 overs)

A Atkins b Mohindru 58

J Andrews ct Thompson b Huggins 0

R Stephenson Ct Clifford b Watkins 0

R Vinney ct Chorley b Huggins 5

C Bennetto lbw b Mohindru 38

T Aylott St Clifford b Mohindru 4

D Neil Run Out 4

J Lishman St Clifford b Spence 2

S Davies Not Out 9

T Dickson Run Out 0

M Moore Ct Huggins b Mohindru 0

Windsor Innings – 156 for 5 (31 overs)

C Bird Ct Vinney b Davies 19

R Mathews Bowled Lishman 0

M Greene Bowled Davies 5

A Chorley Ct Davies Lishman 3

B Davies Ct Davies Stephenson 10

P Thompson Not Out 38

M Huggins Not Out 66