Cricket season gets under way

Middlesex County Cricket League

PREMIER LEAGUE
EASTCOTE 236 ALL OUT
HAMPSTEAD 150-5

HAMPSTEAD got their season off and running on Saturday with a four-point winning-draw away against Eastcote.
Impressive half centuries from Imran Mohammed, who knocked up 57 runs, and Mohammed Aktar, who hit 51 not out, gave Hampstead the edge with a stronger run-rate as they raced to 150-5 off 32 overs.
The visitors had earlier restricted Eastcote to a lead of 236 off 67.3 overs before taking their final wicket.

DIVISION TWO
NORTH LONDON 18-1
SOUTH HAMPSTEAD 0-0

HOSTS South Hampstead were beaten by the weather on Saturday when their encounter against rivals North London was washed out.

DIVISION THREE
HORNSEY 198-8 DEC
HIGHGATE 180-7

RAIN also affected Highgate’s opening match against Hornsey on Saturday as they started their season with a winning-draw.
Skipper Dave Benton won the toss and with the dark clouds hovering put the visitors into bat. Opening bowlers Tony Duckett and Chris Fletcher kept things tight in the early overs, with Duckett breaking through with the score on 23.
 Spin bowler Syed Karrar took five wickets at the expense of just 48 runs as he tore through the Hornsey batting order.
A carefully crafted score of 77 from Alex Scrini saw Hornsey reach 198-8 off 45 overs before declaring.
With just 35 overs to bat, Highgate knew a good start was crucial, which they got courtesy of some impressive early batting from Jake Sharland and Will Clarke who savaged on anything loose.
Although Clarke went for 17, Freddie Barrass came into support Sharland as Highgate raced towards the 100 mark.
Having reached an excellent 50 and with the hosts eyeing up the victory target, Sharland was forced to retire injured when he misjudged a pull and was hit in the helmet by Hornsey captain Ian Gregory.
Highgate lost valuable momentum, but managed to regroup as they closed on 180-7 off 35 overs to take four points.