JOHN Lampard grabbed 89 runs as Highgate closed the gap on third-placed Bessborough in the County League division two on Saturday. However, Dave Benton's side had to settle for four points when they failed to bowl out their hosts despite

By Jonny Weeks

JOHN Lampard grabbed 89 runs as Highgate closed the gap on third-placed Bessborough in the County League division two on Saturday.

However, Dave Benton's side had to settle for four points when they failed to bowl out their hosts despite having three overs at the last pair.

The visitors lost the toss and were put into bat first. Openers Jake Sharland and debutant Chris Wilson took the score past 50 before Sharland, who scored three boundaries in quick succession, was caught behind for 41.

Lampard and Freddie Barrass brought up the 100, and when Barrass fell for six Benton joined Lampard who was starting to get his eye in. The pair mixed solid defence with selective attacking shots, making the most of anything loose in their partnership of 95, with Lampard going past 50 for the second successive game.

Chris Fletcher helped take the score to 228-5 from 51 overs before Highgate declared with Benton finishing 50 not out.

With the pitch still misbehaving, Highgate's bowlers made an excellent start when Syed Karrar struck with the score still on nought. Tony Duckett picked up a well-deserved lbw decision as Bessborough started to dig in.

Benton then brought himself on and switched Karrar to the pavilion end. The move paid off immediately, with Chris Fletcher taking a good catch to remove Chavda for 22.

Karrar followed it up with a beauty to bowl Botha for a duck, before Fletcher caught Hawes for 74. That had Bessborough wobbling at 113-5. Sharland then grabbed one at slip off Benton, bringing home skipper Ian Barrie to the crease with his side needing eight runs an over.

A sharp take behind by Joseph and a pressure catch by Tim Vanderpump swung the game back in Highgate's favour.

Karrar removed the No 9 for his fifth wicket, but despite every effort from the bowlers and the Highgate fieldsmen for the last three overs, Highgate could not take the final wicket. Bessborough ended on 179-9 from 51 overs.

"It was great to complete a game for the first time in a month," said skipper Benton. "We grafted with the bat early on, and Justin Lampard was outstanding on a difficult wicket.

"Syed bowled beautifully again, and it was nice to get some runs and wickets myself. The whole team did well and I thought our fielding was excellent."

Highgate visit Hornsey tomorrow.