Hampstead continue to go from strength to strength in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League after winning their third match in a row, beating Richmond to tighten their hold on second spot.

Hosts Hampstead skittled their third-placed visitors for 140 before reaching 144-1 in reply, triumphing by nine wickets to move 14 points clear of their rivals.

“This was our best performance of the season,” said the head of the club’s playing committee, Nick Brown. “I thought we were outstanding.

“Richmond did not make it easy, they gave us nothing. All of their batsmen were got out as opposed to throwing their wickets away, and they certainly made us work hard for the runs – it was not easy.

“I think they are a decent side but we are playing well, we are confident and the team spirit is going through the roof.

“Our only concern is that a number of our batsmen haven’t had an opportunity for a couple of weeks.

“However, Ragheb Aga, Liam Hughes, Mubasher Hassan, Graham Clarke and a few others are going to play in the Twenty20 knock-out match against Brondesbury on Friday night, so they should all be ready for Winchmore Hill on Saturday.”

Richmond won the toss at Lymington Road and elected to bat, but they struggled from the start against the home side’s attack.

Hampstead captain Steve Clark (2-22) and Aga (2-15) shared the first four wickets between them as the opening bowlers left their visitors 34-4.

James Cameron then took over, and the former Worcestershire man took five wickets in a row, recording figures of 5-50 from 10.5 overs before Liam Hughes (1-17) finished the job after 46 overs.

Hampstead were left to chase a victory target of 141, and they made light work of the task as Clark (45), Tom Smith (70 not out) and Ben Scott (28no) knocked off the required runs in 41 overs.