Impressive batting from James Overy and Simon Butler and a vital four-wicket haul for captain John Fosbraey helped Brondesbury to conquer Uxbridge and stay hot on the heels of Division Two leaders North Middlesex in the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Overy (51) and Butler (61) were the pick of the batsmen as Brondesbury posted 217-9 - and Fosbraey then won the game almost single-handedly, taking 4-31 as Uxbridge collapsed from a strong position at 195-4 to 198 all out.

Fosbraey won the toss, choosing to bat, and despite losing opener Chris Smith for three, the hosts eased to 78-1 before the stubborn Overy was finally trapped lbw by Andy Stephens (4-69) just after reaching his half century.

David Miller (6) and Sam Smith (5) both fell cheaply but Neil Durand came to the crease to join opener Butler, and they added 37 runs together, taking Brondesbury to 142-4 before Butler was caught off Nishel Patel (4-87).

Tommy Ricketts was only able to add five, but Durand went on to make 41 and James Jackson (13), Buddy Mason (17 not out) and Fosbraey (6) all chipped in to take Brondesbury to a total of 217-9 from 50 overs.

Uxbridge looked set to spring a surprise and upset one of the promotion challengers as they motored to 101-2, thanks largely to Dilon Heyliger’s 73 - and when Sam Smith (3-43) removed Patel (30) Uxbridge were still well-placed on 166-4.

That became 195-4 thanks as Tony Stephens added 36, leaving the visitors just 22 runs behind with six wickets in hand – but they only managed to add another three runs as Fosbraey wiped up the tail, skittling the visitors for 198 after 48.3 overs.