Published: 2 July, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD moved to within seven points of leaders Ealing on Saturday with a resounding 104-run victory over basement boys Southgate in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League. 

Skipper Steve Clark’s gamble of opting to bat first was rewarded in full as his side picked up a maximum 13 points from the game at Lymington Road in West Hampstead, a decision that looked even better when the news filtered through that Ealing had lost at home against Finchley. 

Jaahid Ali smashed 126 not out off the same number of deliveries, a mighty knock that included 18 fours and two sixes, while Jamie Gibson scored 89 as the hosts declared on 304-5 after 57 overs. 

Captain Clark, who scored 24 with the bat, then dominated with the ball as he took four wickets at the expense of 57 runs in a devastating 15-over spell, which included five maidens. Will Roberts also did well with figures of 3-47 as Southgate were bowled out for exactly 200 in 50.5 overs.

Hampstead are well-placed in third, but face tough away games against the two teams above them – second-placed Richmond and Ealing – in their next two games. 

Saturday’s win puts Hampstead on 57 points from eight games, two points behind Richmond, who beat North Middlesex on Saturday, and seven points behind early pace-setters Ealing. 

Two wins in their next two games would see Clark’s side take over at the top – and put them in prime place to take the title.