Published 31 July, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD’S hopes of retaining their crown in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League received a timely boost on Saturday when they secured a seven-wicket victory away at Richmond, writes Steve Barnett. 

Having endured a run of six games without a win, it looked like the champions were destined to spend the season in a relegation fight. But Steve Clark’s side now find themselves just 18 points behind leaders Teddington with six games left to play after recording three wins in their last four outings. 

On Saturday Hampstead’s bowlers put in a tremendous team effort to skittle Richmond out for just 140 runs. Skipper Clark immediately removed openers Sam Jobson and Bhavesh Pankhania before Jordan Price took three successive wickets to leave the hosts in real trouble at 22-5. 

Andrew Lowe’s patient knock of 56 and a last-ditch score of 31 from Tom Hemingway salvaged a little pride for Richmond, but with Chris Beaumont-Dark (3-17) and Freddie Fairhead (2-41) taking the remaining five wickets Richmond were a long way off from posting a competitive score. 

By contrast, Hampstead started well with the bat as Clark and George Adair raced to 86 without loss. 

Clark was caught on 36 but Adair went on to notch an unbeaten 66 and, with Ben Scott chipping in 34 off 30 ball, the visitors strolled to their winning score of 141-3 within 33 overs. 

l Hampstead’s afternoon got even better when the news filtered through that North Middlesex paceman Ed Bird had demolished league leaders Teddington. 

In arguably the best bowling performances of the season so far, Bird took eight wickets at the expense of just 44 runs as Teddington were rolled over for just 99. 

North Midd still made hard work of their win, however, with Evan Flowers top-scoring for the home side with just 26 runs. Adam Holmes also chipped in with a score of 19 as Tom Nicoll’s side stuttered to a winning score of 103-6 off 26.2 overs.