Cricket: Middlesex County League - Premier Division - Richmond 141 ao Hampstead 144-6

Published: 30 June, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

SPIN kings Brandon Buckley (pictured) and Joe Ewen helped inspire Hampstead to a four-wicket victory over Richmond on Saturday at Lymington Road. 

Having won the toss the home side decided to bowl first and were soon celebrating when Mubasher Hassan combined good pace with inswing to dismiss Richmond opener Simon Elliott for just six runs. 

The visitors, however, weathered the early storm and slowly managed to climb to 70-1 off almost 30 overs. 

Feeling the frustration Hampstead turned to spin and were quickly rewarded as Ewen took the wickets of Stephen Bail and Nick Alexander. 

Buckley joined the attack and almost instantly removed Richmond’s middle order, ably assisted by good catching from Ewen, Matt Floyd and Sean Terry. 

Some superb fielding from Rob Tidey provided one of the highlights from the match after he directly hit the stumps to run out Craig Dand. 

The Richmond innings were finally wrapped up in the 60th over when they were bowled out for 141. Buckley was the pick of the Hampstead bowlers after taking 4-36 off 17 overs, while Ewen took 3-33 off 12.3 overs. 

Despite being set such a low target for victory Hampstead made hard work of their chase. Opener Terry was dismissed without scoring, soon followed by Tidey who hit 27 off 39 balls. 

Buckley and Hassan hit 17 runs each, but it was the calming influence of Floyd that proved vital for Hampstead. The quick dismissals of both Imraan Mohammed and Ed Jones left the hosts struggling on 92-6.

But Floyd and George Leadbetter showed great resilience to put on a seventh wicket stand of 50. Floyd top-scored with 42 not out, while Leadbetter finished on 25 not out as Hampstead hit 144-6 off 46.3 overs to secure all 10 points.