Local cricket - Middlesex County League. Lombard’s late 76 can’t save Hampstead

HAMPSTEAD slipped to a seven-wicket defeat against local rivals Finchley on Saturday in the Premier League. 

Opting to bat first, Brandon Buckley was the only player in Hampstead’s top-order who offered any resilience as he scored 63 off 74 balls, including six fours and a six. 

Jon Lombard gave the home side a glimmer of hope when he came in at No 7 to add some respectability to the score by notching-up 76 off 93 balls. 

His efforts helped Hampstead reach 215 all out off 55.5 overs. 

It still didn’t prove too testing a target for Finchley, however, who comfortably reached a winning score of 218-3 off 39.2 overs, with opener Steve Selwood 

top-scoring with 109 runs. 

 

In Division Two North Middlesex stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games as they were held to a draw at home against Harrow. 

Harrow started with the bat and managed to score 228-9 off 52 overs before declaring, with Darius D’Souza top-scoring with a vital knock of 91.

Jaron Semper was the pick of the North Midd bowlers as he took 5-47 off 16 overs.  

Joe Hewton carried North Midd’s reply as he scored 79 not out after coming in when his team were struggling on 19-3.

 His efforts helped North Midd gain an unlikely point as they finished play on 147-7 off 49 overs to record a losing-draw.