Hampstead secure Premier Division status with a game to spare

Published: 4:07 PM August 31, 2016 Updated: 1:49 PM October 14, 2020

Hampstead's Liam Hughes hit a century. Pic: Paolo Minoli - Credit: Archant

Hampstead secured their survival in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County League with a game to spare after beating relegation rivals Twickenham on Saturday.

The reigning champions have been flirting with danger at the wrong end of the table but their 94-run victory at Lymington Road took them 16 points clear of the danger zone ahead of this weekend’s finale.

Liam Hughes hit an unbeaten 107 off 92 balls, while Henry Collier struck 73 off 87 deliveries – and Ollie Steele smashed 50 off 25 balls as the hosts posted 316-5 from their 50 overs.

Chris Beaumont-Dark (3-25) was then the pick of the bowlers as Twickenham were bowled out for 222 in 41.2 overs.

Hampstead chairman Nick Brown said: “Relieved and disappointed is how we are feeling now. Naturally we’re relieved that we have guaranteed Premier League cricket for 2017, and in some style, but also disappointed as we started the season with genuine optimism about being in the mix for the title.

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“Other results could have kept us up anyway, but with Liam Hughes getting married this Saturday, we were going to be very thin on availability against Ealing, so a win against Twickenham was vital - and of course Liam signed off with a hundred, which was perfect.”

In Division Three, North London still have promotion aspirations ahead of the final weekend, lying eight points outside the top two after beating Uxbridge. They host Harrow Town on Saturday.