Nish Patel

Published: 21 June, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
Hampstead 307-2 dec
Southgate 210-7

HAMPSTEAD duo Steve Clark and Mark Divin must be wondering how they were rewarded with just four points for their batting efforts against Southgate on Saturday.

The pair dominated a very flat wicket at Lymington Road in West Hampstead as they notched-up 220-runs in a devastating second wicket partnership.

Clark hit 128 not out off 183 balls, but it was the maiden ton from skipper Divin that really caught the eye as he recorded his century at a run-a-ball, smashing six fours and nine sixes along the way.

He went on to score 121 before being caught by Matt Creese off the bowling of Carmi Le Roux, by which time he’d helped Hampstead post a healthy total of 307-2 off 60 overs before declaring.

The hosts, however, were unable to clinch a much-needed victory as they got off to a testing start with the ball.

Southgate were able to string a few early partnerships together, scoring 85 for the first wicket and 56 for the second.

Zak Khan bowled a very tidy spell to claim two wickets for 23 runs, while Divin ran through the Southgate middle-order as he picked-up 4-56. But it wasn’t enough as the visitors completed their 60 overs on 210-7 to leave a frustrated Hampstead side with a winning-draw courtesy of their faster run-rate.

North Middlesex blow chance to rein in leaders

DIVISION TWO
Twickenham 107 ao
N Middlesex 96 ao

NORTH Middlesex disappointed with the bat as they threw away a great chance to beat league leaders Twickenham on Saturday.

Having been sent in to bowl, hosts North Midd looked on course to seal a memorable victory as Jaron Semper and Will Wootton put in a masterclass with the ball.

Semper collected four wickets at the cost of 27 runs, while Wootton grabbed 3-28 as Twickenham were dismissed in the 46th over for 107 runs.

The hosts, however, failed to drive home their advantage and struggled to get to grips with some superb accurate bowling from Paul Cassidy and Parminda Singh.

The pair took four wickets each as North Midd were bowled out in the 30th over of their reply for just 96 runs, handing a relieved Twickenham an 11-run victory.

Valiant South Hampstead hang on for a point against Edmonton

DIVISION THREE
Edmonton 229
S Hampstead 167-9

SOUTH Hampstead put in a battling display to earn a point from their testing away game against Edmonton on Saturday.

In a topsy-turvy contest Rohit Danodaran offered the highlight of the day as he hit 104 off 106 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, to help the home side post a score of 229 off 49.2 overs.

In reply, South Hampstead openers Leroy Shepherd and James Williams set a steady pace, scoring  34 and 42 runs respectively before surrendering their wickets. But without any real support, bar a patient knock of 26 from Sam Bardon, they were always just off the pace and did well to avoid defeat as they finished play on 167-9 off 50 overs.

Nish Patel star show in Middlesex Cup

ALLROUNDER Nish Patel (pictured top) starred with both the bat and the ball on Sunday to earn South Hampstead a place in the second round of the prestigious Middlesex Cup.

Taking on Harrow Town away, Alex Ranger’s side were put into bat and were soon struggling,  slipping to 78-3 after 16 overs.

Enter Nish and younger brother Avnish who joined forces to build a solid 59-run partnership. Nish scored 64 off 48 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, while Avnish hit 47 off 67 balls, smashing seven fours and a six.

Their joint efforts helped South Hampstead post a score of 266-8 off 45 overs.

In response Harrow Town started well but lost an early wicket to an amazing catch by Dush Patel at gully off of the bowling of Jamal Ahmed. Nish then took centre-stage as he collected five wickets for just 27 runs, grabbing South Hampstead’s second hat-trick in as many weeks following Bilal Akram’s seven wickets for seven runs in seven overs for their 2nd XI last week.

Majid Saeed top-scored for Harrow Town with 60, but his efforts were no match for Nish’s star showing as the home side was bowled out for 126 to hand South Hampstead a 140-run victory.