THREE league fixtures in and North Middlesex have managed just two points so far out of a possible 30.

But there were some green shoots of recovery in their defeat at Ealing on Saturday in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Firstly, Evan Flowers’ well-crafted knock of 55 from 44 deliveries.

The batter was back to his shot-selection best at Corfton Road as he managed the sweltering conditions well, hitting nine fours and a six before eventually being bowled by Will Hope.

Flowers has posted some important scores for North Midd over the years, and a return to form could be just the tonic the defending champions need to get their stuttering campaign back on track.

Other plus points saw Pradhuman Singh and David Winn warming to the season nicely as they recorded their biggest totals so far. Winn had to work hard to stabilise North Midd’s shaky start, coming in at No 4 to hit a patient 32 off 80 balls.

Singh’s late stand, meanwhile, proved more rapid as he hit 43 off 32 deliveries to help the visitors reach 210-9 from their allotted 50 overs.

Ealing chased down that total with gusto. Opener Oliver Wilkin scored 50, while Ryaan Hussain hit 42 not out. Tushar Patel and Hope also batted well for their respective knocks of 34 and 33 as the hosts raced to their winning score of 211-5 inside 36 overs to seal a five-wicket win.

If there is one final positive for North Midd, it’s that they entertain Twickenham this weekend, the only side in the division who have got off to a worse start.

Meanwhile, in Division One, Hampstead suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat away to Indian Gymkhana on Saturday.

Jordan Edy gave the visitors the perfect start as he thwacked 93 off just 49 balls in a blistering attacking display that included 11 fours and six sixes.

With fellow opener Alex Duguid chipping in with 28, and Amogh Karpe, who came in at No 3, batting well for 40, Hampstead soon powered their way to 180-3. But as the temperatures soared the runs gradually dried up, and Sam Fraser’s side was bowled out in the 43rd over for 249.

Hampstead’s start in the field matched their aggression with the bat.

Muhammad Ahmed bowled opener Rana Rehan Khan for a golden duck, while Lachie Bailey dismissed Himanshu Himanshu without scoring.

However, the home side somehow managed to regroup and rally.

Wahidullah Ali hit 41, Mohibullah Oryakhel scored 42 and Gourav Kumar managed 49 as Indian Gymkhana edged to the narrowest of victories, reaching 250-9 with five overs to spare.

Hampstead will be confident of returning to winning ways this weekend when they entertain Acton at their Lymington Road ground.