Second stringers hang on for draw in Middlesex County League

Published: 9th June, 2011
CRICKET with STEVE BARNETT

Middlesex County League
Premier Division
Teddington 319-8 DEC
Hampstead 186-6

HAMPSTEAD were denied their third successive victory on Saturday when they were held to an uninspiring draw at home. 

With a string of key players missing, the hosts were, said skipper Joe Cotterell, admittedly “second in all departments” against a strong Teddington side. 

Taking advantage of some abysmal fielding, opener James Keightley top-scored with 71, while Ben Duncan and Patrick Foster both hit half-centuries as Teddington scored 319-8 off 64 overs before declaring.  

Brandon Buckley was the pick of the Hampstead bowlers with 4-107 in a difficult 24-over spell. 

Hampstead’s reply showed the benign nature of the pitch as Rob Tidey and Matt Floyd cruised to 50 before Tidey was caught at slip with 19 runs to his name. 

Floyd was joined by Buckley in the middle and the pair unfurled some delightful cuts and drives as Hampstead climbed to 92-1 before Buckley was forced to retire on 27 runs with a suspected torn calf. 

Floyd went on to hit 11 fours in a innings of 80 runs off 113 balls before being run out. 

Despite a heavy collapse, Hampstead survived until the end of play on 186-6 to gain a grateful point for a losing draw.

Leaders Southgate crush North Middlesex by 8 wickets

IN Division Two North Middlesex are still searching for their first win of the season after suffering an eight-wicket defeat in their home game against leaders Southgate. 

Alex Hill and Jaron Semper scored 31 and 30 runs respectively as the Midd made a slender total of 149 runs before being bowled out in the 45th over. 

It proved a comfortable target for Southgate, who sailed towards their winning score of 150-2 within 36 overs. Opener James Watkins scored 45 while Tom Allan hit 46 not out.