Published: 18 July, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

THE wickets were shared about on Saturday as Hampstead beat the heat – and their closest rivals – to extend their lead in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Steve Clark’s side won their top-of-the-table clash away at Ealing by six wickets to open up an 18-point lead and maintain their unbeaten run, which has seen them win seven of their 10 games.

Ealing won the toss and, boasting home advantage, decided to bat first – a decision they might of been regretting when Hampstead skipper Clark and Zak Khan claimed early wickets to leave the hosts on 24-2.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure and were given all the incentive they needed to push on for the victory when Ealing were dismissed for 197 in the 54th over.

Graham Clark, Chris Beaumont-Dark and Sumeet Sharma all picked up two wickets each, while Matthew Macaulay and Liam Hughes also each got a scalp.

The reply began well as captain Clark hit 12 off the first over and, although he was dismissed for 15, Hampstead kept piling on the runs.

Graham Clark added another 32 to the total, before Ben Scott and James Cameron built a 79-run partnership to take the visitors to 136-2. Scott ended up scoring 45 off 64 balls, including eight fours, while Cameron finished on 65 not out from a knock that included nine fours and a six.

Their combined efforts saw Hampstead score a winning 200-4 off 43.5 overs and hand them a mighty advantage in the title race.

• North Middlesex are also topping the table in division two following their 49-run victory over Uxbridge at Park Road in Crouch End.
Scores of 58 from Sam Webber, 50 from Tom Nicoll and 40 from John Mills helped the hosts to 217-7 off their 50 overs. In the field Nick Brand
(2-30), Ed Bird (2-41) and Will Nicoll (2-18) all played their part in securing the win as Uxbridge were dismissed for 168 off 46.1 overs.