Published: 28 June, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD were put to the sword on Saturday as they suffered an eight-wicket defeat in a tough away match against Eastcote.

Opting to bat first, Mark Divin’s side got off to the worst possible start as they quickly lost openers Tom Lewis and Steve Clark.

Leading by example, Divin steadied the ship as he scored 70 off 109 balls, smashing eight fours and a six.

Hanish Patel and Matt Floyd both batted well to score 47 and 52 runs respectively and add 70 for the fifth-wicket.

But when Patel was out lbw by Gurjit Sandhu Hampstead’s resistance crumbled to an under-par score of 234 from 66 overs.

The visitors looked ready to put up a fight in the field as Divin and Gary Montgomery took early wickets to leave Eastcote struggling on 27 for 2 after six overs.

But Hampstead’s luck ran out as Middlesex man Adam Rossington, still in T20 mode from county matches in the week, smashed 126 not out off just 110 balls.

He was well supported by MCC Young Cricketer Ben Dougall, who hit 81 not out as Eastcote eased to a winning 235-2 within 39 overs.