The in-form team were unable to chase down 292 for another top flight victory

Hampstead's outside chance of winning the Middlesex County Premier Division ended after a 49-run loss to Stanmore.

The Lymington Road club went into the clash after a run of five victories from the last six games.

Home captain Matt Watson won the toss and decided to field first, but Steven Reingold struck a classy century at the top.

The away opener finished on 122 not out with 69 by Anshuman Rath and 49 from Steve Mehra crucial to Stanmore's final total of 291-5.

Ben Frazer claimed 2-48 off seven overs, but no one could restrict the flow of runs and so Hampstead needed 292 to win.

A strong start was required and Jack Biddulph (32) and Mubasher Hassan (41) provided it, but couldn't kick on.

Frazer did get in and took a liking to the away bowlers, smashing 70 off 59 balls, but it only resulted in Hampstead reaching 242 all out.

Watson's team will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to current Premier Division champions Richmond.

Hampstead chairman Nick Brown said: "I just don't think we played well enough, we weren't quite on our game with the ball and whilst they didn't get too many, it was probably 20 more than we would have liked.

"We got a decent start, but we were always chasing the game. Stanmore have a disciplined bowling attack and trying to win back overs and catch up the scoring rate was never going to be easy.

"Obviously Ben made it interesting, but we needed someone else to get a big score and we simply didn't get that.

"I'm hesitant to say this is the title chance over with, but we have to be realistic, everything points to North Middlesex now, but we will keep trying and we shall see what happens."