Published: 27 August, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD are within touching distance of being crowned champions of the Middlesex County Cricket League for the second time in three seasons following a nerve-wracking one-wicket win on Saturday. 

Steve Clark’s side elected to start their home game against North Middlesex in the field as spectators at the ground in Lymington Road, West Hampstead, were treated to one of the most enthralling top-flight clashes of the summer. 

The hosts got off to a bright start with Clark and Ragheb Aga combining to maximum effect to leave North Midd struggling on 43-3. Will Vanderspar was the first to go as he scored just 10 runs before being caught by Aga off Clark’s bowling. 

The Hampstead duo then reversed roles to get rid of Ollie Tikare, before Aga claimed his second wicket of the afternoon by dismissing Atif Zafar, again aided by Clark’s safe hands. 

Some aggressive batting from Evan Flowers and Sam Webber finally ignited a contest between the two rivals. Flowers went on to score 37 off 49 balls, while Webber top-scored for the visitors with a rapid knock of 42 off 43 balls, which included three sixes and four fours. 

With Alex Hill and Ethan Bamber both adding 23 runs, and Ben Own chipping in with an unbeaten 25, North Midd managed to post a testing target of 239-9 from their 50 overs. 

A topsy-turvy chase started with Clark trapped lbw without scoring. But knocks of 52 runs from George Adair and 26 runs from Jamie Gibson got Hampstead back on track and into triple figures, before Jaahid Ali drove the league leaders to within six runs of victory as he hit 74 off 83 balls. 

Hampstead’s bid to smash home the final runs needed almost backfired with Fred Fairhead, Archie Fellowes and Chris Beaumont-Dark all dismissed in quick succession to leave the hosts tying the game on239-9 with one ball to go. 

In a dramatic finale Charlie Wedgwood saved the day for Hampstead as he found the boundary to give his side a winning score of 243 from their 50 overs – and with it 10 priceless points. Clark’s side are 10 points clear of Richmond with two games to go.