Published: 17 May, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

A FORMER footballer helped kick-start Hampstead’s season on Saturday as he led the new look side to a six-wicket victory over Stanmore at Lymington Road in West Hampstead.

Debutant Gary Montgomery, who used to play in goal for a host of professional clubs including Rotherham United and Coventry City, changed the outlook of the game as he bowled good, tight lines to start the wickets tumbling.

Pictured receiving his player-of-the-day award from Hampstead chairman Jim Carter (Above, right), Montgomery took four wickets at the expense of just 44 runs in a commanding 15 over spell.

Tom Lewis proved a successful option for stand-in slipper Matt Floyd as he took 3-26 to clean up the tail and help bowl Stanmore out for 176 runs in the 55th over.

Boasting six new faces within their ranks, the hosts proved just as effective with the bat as they were with the ball.

Opening pairing Tom Smith and Lewis put together a solid opening stand of 44 before Lewis was caught behind.

Mark Divin joined Smith at the crease and took the total up to 113 before Divin was caught for 31.

Despite the loss of a couple of wickets, Smith was steadfast in the middle and scored 85 not out to guide his team to a winning score of 177-4 off 47.3 overs.

Hampstead were also victorious on Sunday when they beat Premier League rivals Southgate by 95 runs to reach the second round of the Kingfisher Beer National Cup.

Salman Mohammed and Hanish Patel started brightly with the bat as they scored 64 and 52 runs respectively. Steve Clark also chipped in with a quick-fire run-a-ball innings of 42 as Hampstead reached 257-7 from their 45 overs.

Southgate were quickly skittled out for 162 with Zack Khan, left-armer Montgomery and a series of good catches doing the damage to hand Hampstead victory with 10 overs to spare.