Published: 2 August, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD’S first outing to Tivoli Road in nine years proved one to forget as a familiar face came back to haunt them on Saturday and condemn the club to their fifth defeat of the season.

Former Hampstead and Middlesex stalwart Paul Weekes put in a sterling batting performance for hosts Hornsey as he handled a troublesome wicket well to hit 74 not out.  

The visitors must have thought victory was well within their grasp when Hornsey were struggling on 131-7. But a gritty, determined knock from Weekes, supported by Middlesex and Zimbabwean Anthony Ireland who scored 38, saw the home side add 83-runs for the ninth wicket.

Their combined efforts made a mighty difference as Hornsey eeked out a score of 239 before being bowled out after 62 overs.

Mark Divin and Tom Smith were the pick of the Hampstead bowlers with respective figures of 3-72 and 3-45, while Steve Clarke played his part with 2-28.

A defiant 30 from skipper Divin was a rare highlight for a Hampstead side that struggled to cope with the indifferent bounce in the wicket. Martin Tucker took full advantage of the conditions as he took 5-25 within a commanding 11-over spell to restrict Hampstead to just 109 off 40 overs and hand Hornsey a commanding win.