NORTH Middlesex missed out on the chance to leapfrog leaders Shepherd’s Bush in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League on Saturday when they picked up a point from their home match against title rivals Crouch End.

A strong top-order carried Crouch End through, with openers Atharva Prasad and Dhaval Narotam scoring 65 and 34 runs respectively, while William Burridge came in at number three to hit 43.

Bowler Will Vanderspar did his best to restrict the visitors’ run-rate at Park Road in Muswell Hill, collecting the wickets of both Prasad and Burridge as he ended the afternoon with 31-3.

Ben Lockrose (2-99) and Saul Anstey (2-44) also piled on the pressure, and were key in restricting Crouch End’s lead as Prasad’s side slipped from 154-3, to eventually declaring after 62.4 overs on 220-9.

But that total still proved enough to earn the majority of the points after Aparajit Khurana took a five-for.

The bowler included Ross Forrester and Divyanshu Bhartiya in his 5-63 haul – the North Midd openers departing on just 13 and 14 runs respectively.

Vanderspar and Evan Flowers offered some much-needed stability. Vanderspar top-scored for the home side with a rapid 45 off 57 balls in a knock that included five fours and a six, while Flowers progressed at a run every two deliveries to finish on 40.

When Flowers was dismissed by the determined Khurana, North Midd’s resistance went with him as Jacob Miltz’s side ended the afternoon on 152-9.

It saw Crouch End pick up five points courtesy of their faster run-rate, while North Midd added just one to their tally. It proved a missed opportunity for the title hopefuls as the news filtered through that Shepherd’s Bush had suffered a shock 180-run defeat against Stanmore.

Elsewhere, Rafay Ahmed put on a ruthless performance with the bat to help guide Hampstead to an 88-run victory at Harrow St Mary’s.

The opener thwacked 128 off 192 balls in a mighty knock that included 16 fours. With Damien Burrage also batting well for 58, Hampstead posted a very defendable 255-7 from their 63-over innings.

Their defence of that total saw Damien Burrage (3-49) and Sam Fraser (3-14) take three wickets apiece as Harrow St Mary’s were skittled out for 167 in 46 overs.