CAPTAIN Evan Flowers was caught on the boundary while attempting a match-winning six as North Midd (66) narrowly lost a low-scoring but exhilarating affair with leaders Winchmore Hill (70), who rubber-stamped promotion. Darren Eckford took five wickets an

CAPTAIN Evan Flowers was caught on the boundary while attempting a match-winning six as North Midd (66) narrowly lost a low-scoring but exhilarating affair with leaders Winchmore Hill (70), who rubber-stamped promotion.

Darren Eckford took five wickets and Will Wootton four, only to suffer the same fate after tea, losing their 10 wickets for just 66, despite Flowers (31) top scoring.

The theme for the game was established at the beginning as Eckford (5-31) took a wicket with the very first ball, and Winchmore's 17-3 after 10 overs became 47-7.

Last man Adam Howorth (17) offered some resistance before he was caught by Eckford off Wootton (4-21) in the 29th over.

In reply Adam Holmes (3) succumbed to an early lbw shout and Sam Sheppard was bowled for a duck before Will Nicoll (3), Amir Mapara (7), Zulfi Bipul (5), Yorke-Starkey (4) and Eckford (0) departed in quick succession, leaving North Midd in tatters at 25-7.

Flowers and Hill (3) added 25, but with only 18 runs needed Hill was caught, and Wootton followed, leaving them one wicket from defeat. Then, when five runs short of victory, Flowers went for broke but was caught when he smashed the ball over mid-on.