Published: 16 July, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

THE game of the day in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League on Saturday saw Hampstead dig deep to avoid defeat away at Ealing. 

Robbie White thwarted the Hampstead bowlers at every opportunity as he struck 151 off 159 balls to help Ealing make 293 off 61.5 overs. 

The visitors made a strong start in reply, with opener George Adair and Jamie Gibson both showing good shot selection to guide Hampstead to 132-2. 

Adair scored 73 off 87 balls, smashing 11 fours and two sixes along the way, while Gibson hit five fours and two sixes on his way to a score of 55 off 71 balls. 

Jaahid Ali and Liam Hughes also did well with the bat as they scored 26 and 37 runs respectively in a 60-run partnership, taking Hampstead past the 200 mark. With both sides desperate for the win, the match turned in Ealing’s favour when Hampstead lost four wickets for just 10 runs to leave them struggling on 212-8. 

Australian seam bowler Elliot Opie caused most of the damage as he picked up seven wickets at the expense of just 66 runs in a devastating 19-over spell, which included three maidens. 

But Opie’s efforts were not enough to secure victory for Ealing as Archie Fellowes and Charlie Wedgwood managed to bat out the remaining overs and help Hampstead avoid defeat. 

Steve Clark’s side picked up two points for a losing-draw after finishing on 259-9 off 59 overs. The result leaves them fifth, 23 points behind leaders Richmond. 

Ethan looks a future star

TEENAGER Ethan Bamber showed just why he’s being tipped to become a future star on Saturday when he picked up a five-wicket haul in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League. 

The 16-year-old seamer put in an eye-catching 17-over display  away at Teddington to end the match with figures of 5-55. 

However, to their credit the champions showed a great resilience of their own as they battled back from 86-6 to end play on 187-8 and force a draw. 

North Midd looked odds-on to bank 13 points for batting first and winning after Sam Webber and Joe Hewton rescued Tom Nicoll’s side with a flurry of late runs. 

Their seventh-wicket stand of 98, which saw Webber score 66 and Joe Hewton hit 54 not out, ignited what should have been a match-winning turnaround as the visitors went from struggling on 91-6 to declaring on 239-7. 

But staunch resistance saw hosts Teddington survive the last hour with two wickets intact to earn a share of the points. The result leaves North Midd 20 points off the top.