MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE: DIVISION TWO Shepherd’s Bush (10pts) 185 beat North Middlesex (0) 170

Shepherd’s Bush moved to the top of the table after a 15-run home win over North Middlesex.

After last week’s emphatic 137-run victory over Brondesbury, the hosts were this time forced to dig deep and showcase the battling qualities required of a side intent on making a sustained promotion challenge.

Bush captain Sam Dishon led the way with the bat, top scoring for his side with 63 as the hosts posted 185.

And, although North Midd got within 15 runs of that target in a tense climax, they were skittled for 170 with Amit Suman and Will Speer sharing seven wickets between them.

“This is a very pleasing win. We’re happy with the victory against strong opponents and I’m delighted with our form and consistency,” Dishon told the Times.

“This is a very tight league with no outstanding teams and I think the league positions will be decided in the final couple of games. Hopefully we can make a push for promotion.”

Bush lost Alex Mitchell (4), who was caught by Sam Webber from an Evan Flowers delivery, but Dishon and Thomas Bryan guided Bush to 107 before the skipper fell.

The loss of the captain sparked a middle order wobble as Bryan (31) and Aaron Johnson (0) fell without adding to the score.

A 50-run partnership between Dan Davis (23) and Miles Illingworth, who hit a quick-fire 27 from 33 balls, added important runs to Bush’s tally.

Yet the final five wickets fell for just 28 runs with Suman (10) run out before Sam Howell (5) was caught off the bowling of Kaleem Hussein (2-43), while tail-enders Speer (6) and Derek Mian (0) were both dismissed by Nicoll (6-55).

For Bush’s total to be enough to secure victory, their bowlers needed to take wickets at regular intervals and Suman (4-52) and Speer (3-57) did not disappoint.

Adam Holmes (3), Alexander Hill (11) and Evan Flowers (9) all fell to Speer and despite a rampant innings by North Midd skipper Nicoll (31), wickets continued to tumble.

John Mills (7) was caught by Illingworth from a Dishon delivery, and Sam Webber (0) was dismissed soon after before Nicoll fell to Derek Mian.

Suman then took charge of proceedings by picking up the wickets of Zulfi Azom (14) and Henry Bennett (0) to leave Middlesex on 100-8.

A 69-run partnership between Joe Hewton (62 not out) and Edward Bird (21) meant an unlikely victory was on the cards as Bush toiled in the field, but when Bird fell Middlesex’s revival was doomed.

Kaleem Hussein (0) was the final man removed, by Alex Mitchell, as the visitors were skittled for 170.

“They almost clinched the win from an improbable position,” said Dishon. “In the end this was a very close win, and full credit must go to their tail-enders.

“Bowling has been our strength this year. We need to work on our batting and ensure we do not continuously lose wickets. We will work on establishing longer batting partnerships.”

Shepherd’s Bush visit Harrow Town, who currently sit in the bottom two, on Saturday.