NORTH Mid leapt back into promotion contention with a comfortable victory over the Divison Two leaders, but will be without Will Wootton for the run-in after the bowler broke his hand in the field...

NORTH MIDDLESEX 183-5 (10pts) beat SOUTHGATE 179 (0)

NORTH Mid leapt back into promotion contention with a comfortable victory over the Divison Two leaders, but will be without Will Wootton for the run-in after the bowler broke his hand in the field.

Skipper Alex Hill won the toss and elected to bowl on an excellent track, and James Nightingale (1-48) struck early, while Nick Brand (2-18) took over Wootton's overs and took two quick wickets, to leave table toppers Southgate struggling at 64-3.

Jaron Semper then came into the attack, and he took 5-34 to spark a middle-order collapse, skittling the home side for 179 after they had been 117-4.

After tea, North Mid lost three quick wickets as Southgate stuck with the old ball and opted for spin.

Young Connor Nurse was stumped for five, and Evan Flowers (15) and Shahin Khan (6) soon followed as the visitors made hard work of a relatively simple chase at 35-3. Fortunately, Hill (59) and Maxwell Creese (63) recovered the innings, and Semper then smashed four quickfire boundaries to seal the victory and keep North Mid in touch at the top.