A strong bowling display helped Brondesbury to overcome Hornsey by six wickets in Division Two of the Middlesex County Cricket League and jump three places up the table into fourth spot.

Sam Smith (4-39) led the way as the visitors were dismissed for 144 at Milverton Road, while Charlie Leonard (2-13) and Adam Wilson (2-35) were also among the wickets.

Hornsey openers Sean Solia (10) and James Bull (13) struggled to build a platform and, although no 4 Will Prest (28) and no 8 Ed Wharton (55) contributed runs down the order, the target they set was below par.

Tight bowling from Wharton and Solia reduced Bron to 34-2 as they lost openers Hugh Gimber (21) and Tom Shaw (14).

But, after a rain delay, the slippery conditions made it difficult for the bowlers to maintain control and Wilson hit 35 off 33 balls.

Ali Raza was run out for five, but Will Russell (22 not out) and Jordan Bethel (37no) saw the hosts to a comfortable victory as they leapfrogged Acton, Harrow St Mary’s and Hornsey in the table.

Hornsey face unbeaten leaders Eastcote this weekend and batsman Chetan Patel knows their scoring slump needs to be turned around immediately.

“Hats off to Ed because what he did was apply himself – he put the bad balls away and gave us a chance,” said Patel. “All he needed was one of us to stay with him, but he didn’t get the support he deserved.

“Our batting unit’s more than capable – up to the last couple of games we’d scored over 200 every time.

“We were mindful that, when we played Brondesbury in the Premier Division last season, we bowled them out cheaply twice. But the reality is we were 50 or 60 runs light and didn’t create any scoreboard pressure.”