9:52am Tuesday 13th May 2008
By Paul Wreyford
Brondesbury could not have had a tougher start to their Middlesex County Cricket League campaign.
Bron hosted the champions Ealing on Saturday.
Though they held their visitors to a draw, they only gained one point for their efforts, with Ealing leaving with four.
The visitors made a daunting 316-6 from 60 overs, but could not get the final wicket they needed to dismiss their hosts, Bron holding on at 264-9 when their innings came to an end.
Ed Crowther top-scored for Brondesbury with 116, while Ben Claypole hit 57.
Finchley started in fine fashion, gaining ten points at Southgate following a 50-run win.
Steve Selwood hit 90 as Finchley made 286-8 from 59 overs.
Their hosts were bowled out for 236 - in the final over.
Stanmore gained four points from a draw with Brentham.
Mukesh Bhatt took 7-60 as Brentham were bowled out for 169.
In reply, Stanmore also struggled with the bat, making 111-8 when their innings concluded.
In Division Three, Barnet Bs crashed to a 104-run defeat against Hornsey.
Hornsey raced off to a tremendous start and, after only 10 overs, had reached 55 for the loss of just one wicket. A magnificent piece of fielding then saw Hornsey's most dangerous batsman, Matt Williams (38), run out and, for a long time, it seemed that this was the turning point in the game. Hornsey managed to reach a respectable total of 193 in their 50 overs.
For Barnet Bs, the spinners took centre stage with both Zubair Ayub and Jooma Abbass taking three wickets.
However, despite a fine start from Mansoor Baig (37), the innings collapsed woefully and the last eight wickets only added a further 48 runs.
* Potters Bar were comfortable six-wicket winners over Sawbridgeworth in Home Counties Premier League Division Two East.
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