Cricket: Division Two - North Middlesex 163 AO Brentham 164-4

Published: 19 May, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

A MID-ORDER collapse combined with a worryingly poor bowling performance saw North Middlesex slump to a six-wicket defeat in their home match against Brentham on Saturday. 

Despite Alex Hill’s early departure for just five runs, the hosts made a positive start with Adam Holmes and Evan Flowers edging the score beyond 50-1 after 16 overs. 

When Holmes was caught for 23, Jaron Semper came in to support the in-form Flowers and take the score into three figures with regular boundaries. 

Following on from his explosive century last week, Flowers reached 51 before being trapped LBW. His dismissal triggered a mighty collapse that saw North Middlesex go from 110-2 to 137-8 with Darren Eckford, Dexter Thomas, Amir Mapara and Tom Nightingale scoring just 18 runs between them. 

Semper’s score of 30 and 22 not out from Joe Hewton helped The Midd reach 163 before losing their final wicket. 

It still proved a comfortable target, however, as Brentham hit their winning score of 164-4 within just 29 overs to take all 10 points.  

Elsewhere in Division Two, Highgate suffered a four-wicket defeat against Shepherds Bush after being bowled out for 184 off 49.5 overs. In reply Shepherds Bush managed 186-6 off 41.2 overs to clinch victory.