Middlesex County Cricket League (Premier Division): Hampstead (4pts) 366-6 Ealing (1) 185-7

Ben Scott enjoyed a highly impressive debut for Hampstead, top scoring with an unbeaten 167 at home against Ealing in a rain-affected match.

Hampstead had six debutants in their side and, although they lost Robert Jones for a duck early on, his fellow opener and captain Steve Clark (75) set the tone for a big total with a positive innings.

He and Scott added 125 runs for the second wicket, but the hosts wobbled after the skipper’s departure as James Cameron (4) and Mubasher Hassan (6) were also dismissed, leaving them 155-4.

However, Scott and Liam Hughes (68) took the game to Ealing with an 125-run pairing, and Ragheb Aga (11) and Sumeet Sharma (19 not out) added quick runs after Hughes’ exit.

Scott, who has represented Middlesex and Worcestershire, ended the innings unbeaten after hitting 167 off 164 balls, including 13 fours and seven sixes, as Hampstead reached 366-6 off their allotted 60 overs.

That gave Ealing a daunting target and Aga recorded figures of 3-46, while Hughes (2-22) and Graham Clark (2-34) also took wickets to leave the visitors precariously perched at 185-7 with 17 overs remaining.

However, the rain ended the match early and Hampstead were forced to settle for a four-point winning draw.

The chairman of Hampstead’s playing committee, Nick Brown, said: “Ben’s contribution was simply a magnificent spectacle, I don’t think he gave a chance. It is an understatement to say that we are delighted.

“There was some comment that we had batted too long and got too many, but that was partly out of respect for Ealing – and there was also some confusion over whether we had lost overs for the rain.

“The rain certainly didn’t help us with the ball either and, who knows, if we had been able to bowl the full allotment at Ealing maybe we would have won, but we are happy.

“On a personal note, I was delighted to see Ragz [Aga] in action with the ball. He has worked so hard on his rehab and he now looks strong and fit. He certainly gives us some firepower with the new ball.

“The guys have certainly come together and the spirit in the dressing room is very good. It all bodes well for the rest of the season - but I said the same last year, so we won’t get ahead of ourselves.”