Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 10 July 2008
Highgate six points off pace in title chase
HIGHGATE slipped to second in the table on Saturday when they lost by 155 runs against Harrow Town in Division Three of the Middlesex County Cricket League. Skipper Dave Benton won the toss, and stuck to the successful formula of putting the opposition into bat. Opening bowlers Phil Brown and Jake Sharland generated some life from the Harrow Town pitch. After a couple of boundaries, Brown claimed two quick wickets, with Benton snapping one up in the gully and Sharland holding a sharp chance at second slip.
Sharland and Craig Gourlay went on to take two wickets each as Highgate battled for control. But a titanic score of 102 not out from Abid Javed turned the match Town’s way and they declared on 297-6 after 50 overs.
Highgate made a shaky start in reply with both Zac Curtis and Ponniah Vijendran falling victim to Tyrone Theophile. Sharland did his best to steady the chase, but when he fell for a patient knock of 40, Highgate’s hopes of winning went with him.
In the end the visitors managed just 142 before the fall of their final wicket and are now six points behind Harrow Town in the race for the title.
Elsewhere South Hampstead remain second in Division Two following their resounding seven-wicket victory over Harrow.
Harrow put in a spirited show before declaring on 200-8 off 56 overs. But a commanding score of 86 not out from Tim McMahon led South Hampstead to a winning score of 204-3.
In Division One, Hampstead sealed only their third win of the season with a commanding victory over league strugglers Brentham.
The Hampstead batsman showed off some exquisite shot-selection as they hit 333-3 from 58 overs.
Brentham could only manage 113 in reply, handing Hampstead a 220-run victory.