North Midd mark 150 years by winning the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League

IT’S an unbelievable new chapter in North Middlesex’s history, one befitting of a Hollywood blockbuster.

An arduous journey laced with intrigue, excitement, fate and destiny ended with the club being crowned Premier Division champions of the Middlesex County Cricket League at the weekend.

And what makes North Midd’s third title triumph unlike any other is it just so happens to have been delivered in the club’s 150th anniversary year.

“This is just so incredibly special,” beamed captain Jacob Miltz. “We said at the start of the year that winning the league during the club’s 150th anniversary would be extra special, but to actually do it!

“It’s like it was written. It’s sheer joy.

“All the players had that extra incentive. And there are so many people at the club working hard behind the scenes. It really is just incredible.”

First XI skipper for only his second season, the South African added: “This is such a tough league to win. The nature of the beast is anybody can beat anybody; you have to be at your best every weekend – there are no easy games.”

Case in point was how North Middlesex got over the line after their weather-affected home match against mid-table Hornsey on Saturday at their Park Road ground in Muswell Hill.

The visitors handled the conditions well, with opener Thomas Wyatt hitting 33 as he forged a solid partnership with Josh Haynes, who came in at number three and went on to score 40.

Harry Killoran was the pick of the Hornsey batsmen with 49, while Troy Henry, 39 runs, and Shiv Patel, 24, also both batted well.

In the end, Hornsey posted 212-8 from their allotted 50 overs. That proved one of the highest totals of the day in the top-flight – a Herculean effort considering the conditions, and how ruthless Will Vanderspar was in dismantling their middle-order to earn figures of 4-44.

Part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations saw North Middlesex unveil a new mural at their home ground in Park Road, Muswell Hill

In a season that has favoured the bowlers, North Midd’s search for rapid runs before the rain arrived was contained well and neutralised.

In fact, the hosts found themselves reeling on 44-6 before Divyanshu Bhartiya arrived at the crease to ignite the run chase, hitting 42 off 56 deliveries in a knock that included two sixes.

With the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in full swing, North Midd’s response was restricted to just 35 overs, Miltz’s side finishing play on 129-7 to hand Hornsey a narrow 39-run victory.

The big question then was, would title rivals Shepherd’s Bush be able to topple Teddington to leapfrog North Midd at the top of the table with one game to go?

“Our game finished first, so we all dashed back into our clubhouse to watch the end of the Shepherd’s Bush game,” said North Midd chair Stephen Edwards. “They certainly had us worried.

“The forecast was for rain to set in at around 4pm, and hats off to Shepherd’s Bush because they really tried their best to force the result.

“Unfortunately for them, Teddington battled very well and managed to get the runs. They needed 10 from the last over, and they got six off the first ball and then four off the second – and that was that.”

Teddington’s four-wicket victory sparked wild ripples. Edwards added: “Everyone in the clubhouse went completely mad.

“Winning the league this year is such an incredible way to cap what has been a fantastic 150th year for the club.

“It means so, so much to everyone connected to the club.”

And the celebrations are far from over. North Midd’s second XI host Teddington in a Premier Division title-decider this weekend, while the club’s third XI will be crowned Premier Division champions if they can avoid defeat against Teddington.

Defeat by 5 wickets seals drop

DISASTER hit Hampstead on Saturday when they were relegated from the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League for the second time in three seasons.

The club returned to the top-flight buzzing with confidence, and started their campaign in style with back-to-back wins over Harrow St Mary’s and Richmond.

But it can be an unforgiving league, and points soon became harder and harder to come by.
Hampstead made a bright start to their must-win home match against Ealing at the weekend at their ground in Lymington Road.

Openers Rafay Ahmed, who scored 28 off 41 balls, and Mubasher Hassan, who hit 42 off 56 deliveries, drove the home side to 76 before the loss of their first wicket.

Amogh Karpe then came in at number three and put on a well-crafted half-century to guide Hampstead to 183-9.

Karpe’s 50 would prove the highlight of the afternoon, but without any big-scorers to support him Hampstead were bowled out for 193.

With the bad weather bringing the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method into play, Ealing were set a revised total of 165 from 40 overs for the win. Openers Tom Shaw and Harjot Rajasansir gave the visitors the perfect platform to build on as they scored 31 and 24 respectively.

Liam Fitzpatrick’s 34 not out, accompanied by Robbie White’s rapid 36, then edged Ealing to victory as they reached 166-5 inside 34 overs to condemn Hampstead to a five-wicket defeat, and with it a return to Division One.

Hampstead wrap up their campaign this Saturday with a trip to Teddington.