Published: 21 August, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

THE title race in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League looks set to go down to the wire after champions Hampstead kept their hopes of retaining their crown alive on Saturday with 192-run victory against Hornsey. 

A solid partnership between Ben Scott, who scored 64 off 111 balls, and Mubasher Hassan, who chipped in with a well-crafted half-century, helped Hampstead score 257-9 declared off 60 overs. 

Hassan showed his versatility as he also starred with the ball, taking five wickets at the expense of just 32 runs in a devastating 10-over spell. 

Skipper Steve Clark also pitched in by taking four wickets for eight as Hornsey were bowled out for just 65 runs within 26 overs. 

The 10-point win leaves Hampstead fourth in the table but just eight points behind leaders Ealing with three games to go. 

Elsewhere Joel Hughes celebrated a five-wicket haul as North Middlesex comfortably beat Stanmore. His efforts, which saw him record figures of 5-47, saw Stanmore skittled out for 124 off 53.4 overs. 

North Midd chased down the total within 41 overs as scores of 38 from Connor Nurse and 34 from Michael Clements guided them to 127-3 to seal a seven-wicket win.