Published: 21 May, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

NORTH Middlesex needed a late rally of runs to continue their perfect start to the season in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League on Saturday. 

Chasing 210 for victory away at Finchley, North Midd were at one stage struggling on 118-6 – but an 83-run partnership between Joe Hewton (49 not out) and Adam Holmes (32) saved the day as the visitors reached 210-7 in the penultimate over. 

Having elected to bat, Finchley recorded 209 before being bowled out five balls short of their allotted 50 overs. 

Jack Milton led the way with 47 runs, including six fours, before being caught and bowled by Tom Nicoll. 

Nicoll, who later retired injured, was the pick of the North Midd bowlers as he took 3-37 off 9.4 overs, while brother Will Nicoll and Sam Webber picked up two wickets each. 

In reply North Midd lost an early wicket as Atif Zafar was bowled by Frahan Butt. Will Vanderspar came in and steadied the ship, however, as he pushed on to score 42 off 50 balls. A flurry of wickets left North Midd up against it at 118-6. 

But Hewton and Holmes scored at nearly a run a ball to rescue the day as they guided their side to a three-wicket win. 

• Meanwhile Jamie Gibson scored a well-crafted 50 to help lead Hampstead to their first win of the new season, away at Indian Gym­khana. 

With Liam Hughes and Fred Fairhead chipping in with respective scores of 35 and 30, the visitors scored 217-8 off their 50 overs. In reply Indian Gymkhana were bowled out for 184 within 48 overs giving Hampstead a 33-run victory, Fairhead standing out in the bowling figures with 3-38.