Published: 24 May, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD were brought crashing back down to earth with a thump on Saturday when they suffered a five-wicket defeat away at Winchmore Hill.

Having scored 177 to see off Stanmore in their opening home fixture last weekend, Hampstead found runs much harder to come by on their travels as they managed to garner just 65 off 31.5 overs.

After losing a crucial toss, the visitors were put into bat and were immediately tested by the Hill’s opening bowlers Toby Sharpe and Jamie Thorpe.

The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were unable to string any meaningful partnerships together as Thorpe took 5-23 and Sharpe claimed 4-21 to leave Hampstead nine wickets down by lunch and heading for defeat.

Despite the efforts of Gary Montgomery and Steve Clark, who took 3-26 and 2-11 respectively, Hampstead failed to find that something special needed to defend such a low score as Winchmore Hill hit their winning score of 69 runs in the 24th over.

The season isn’t about to get any easier for Hampstead as they take on cham­pions Ealing away on Saturday.