Published: 6 August, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

SKIPPER Steve Clark led by example on Saturday as he helped inspire Hampstead to a seven-wicket victory away at Teddington to move them within three points of leaders Richmond in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League. 

The hosts were soon regretting their decision to send Hampstead into the field as Clark dismantled their attack on the way to claiming five wickets for the expense of just 37 runs. 

With Ragheb Aga, Jamie Gibson, Archie Fellowes and Fred Fairhead all taking a wicket each Teddington were bowled out for a measly score of 128 in the 50th over. 

Unsurprisingly Hampstead made short work of their chase, with openers Clark and George Adair taking them to 56 before the fall of the first wicket. 

Clark was eventually removed lbw after scoring 27 off 37 balls, while his replacement Gibson lasted just 23 balls and 12 runs before being stumped by Will Rist to leave the visitors on 80-2. 

Adair all but wrapped up the match as he went on to record a quick-fire half-century with 51 off 58 balls, a knock that included nine fours, before being trapped lbw. 

But there was never any panic as Aga and Jaahid Ali added 20 and 13 runs respectively to guide Hampstead to a winning score of 129-3 off 28.5 overs. 

With five games to go there could be a thrilling finale to the season with Hampstead now sitting just three points behind Richmond, who lost by 89 runs at home to Southgate on Saturday. 

Clark’s side could even find themselves top of the table by Saturday evening as they welcome Stanmore to their home ground in Lymington Road, West Hampstead, while Richmond travel to third-placed Ealing. 

• NORTH Middlesex are now rank outsiders at best to take the title after losing by158 runs against Ealing on Saturday at their Park Road ground. 

Having been put into bat Huw Jones’s Ealing side showed strong scoring throughout their batting order as they posted a competitive total of 244 all out in 55.3 overs. 

In at number six, Chris Peploe top-scored with 50 off 51 balls, forming a solid partnership with Leigh Parry who scored 47 after coming in at seven. 

Led by Elliott Opie, Ealing were just as ruthless with the ball. Opie took four 4-27, while Peploe picked up 3-20 as North Midd’s chase lasted less than 26 overs before they were bowled out for 86 runs.