Shining stars: South Hampstead’s future prospects at the club’s awards ceremony

Published: 25 July, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

HAMPSTEAD’S title bid took a knock on Saturday when they slipped to their first defeat of the season in the Premier Division.

Missing a handful of key players, including the influential former Middlesex man Ben Scott, the league leaders were all out for 203 against Hornsey at their Lymington Road home in West Hampstead.

Jaahid Ali did his best to help Hampstead continue their unbeaten run with a well-crafted 56, while captain Steve Clark was out lbw just three runs short of his half-century.

To their credit Hampstead looked like they might get themselves out of trouble with the ball as they restricted the visitors to 52-4.

But Michael Philipson and Basil Akram shared a 147-run partnership as Hornsey upset the odds to reach a winning score of 204-5 and seal a five-wicket victory.

l In Division Two, Evan Flowers and Ed Bird joined forces to help North Middlesex extend their lead at the top of the table with a 97-run victory over Southgate.

Flowers was in fine form as he scored a patient 73 to drive North Midd to 202-9 off 55 overs.

Sam Webber and Nick Brand combined to remove the Southgate openers and claim two wickets apiece.

Bird then stole centre stage as he took six wickets at the expense of 22 runs as Southgate were bowled out for 105 after 37 overs.