Premier Division title race set for thrilling finale as Hampstead thrash Hornsey
Hampstead batsman Mubasher Hassan just manages to squeeze the ball past Hornsey captain Michael Philipson en route to his half-century. Pic: Paolo Minoli - Credit: Archant
The title race in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League is heading for thrilling finale as reigning champions Hampstead kept themselves in the hunt with a convincing 192-run home win over Hornsey.
Mubasher Hassan (left) and Ben Scott, who notched 64, talk tactics as they break for lunch. Pic: Paolo Minoli - Credit: Archant
Ben Scott top-scored with 64 while Mubasher Hassan notched 51 as the hosts declared on 257-9 after 60 overs – and Hassan then took 5-32 while captain Steve Clark claimed 4-8 as the visitors were skittled for just 65.
With three games left, Hampstead leapfrogged defeated Richmond into fourth place while remaining eight points behind leaders Ealing – who they visit at the weekend.
By contrast, Hornsey’s heavy loss means they remain in the relegation zone, placing further pressure on their shoulders as they prepare to host second-placed Teddington on Saturday.
The chairman of Hampstead’s playing committee, Nick Brown, said: “It was a very good win for us. Hornsey are the only team we haven’t beaten in the last two seasons, so we were happy to have ended that sequence.
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“The win keeps us in the mix at the top, and I think the title running is now down to four clubs – and we are still to play two of them.
“We have to be realistic now, we need three wins to give ourselves a chance – plus we need Teddington to lose or get a losing draw. But they play Ealing in a fortnight so there’s plenty of opportunity for that to happen.
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“We look to be in good shape heading to Ealing on Saturday, but they look to be back to full strength as well so if anyone wants to see a quality game I suggest they get to Corfton Road.”
Meanwhile, Brondesbury remain rooted to the bottom of the table after losing for the fifth time in six games, going down by 89 runs away at high-flying Teddington.
The home side elected to bat and posted 210 from 65.4 overs before bowling Brondesbury out for 121,with Duncan Wood taking 8-36.