Middlesex County Cricket League Highgate 240-8 (4pts) South Hampstead 140-8 (1)

Ed Atkins hit 78 for Highgate on Saturday, but the visitors were unable to dismiss South Hampstead and had to settle for a winning draw.

Atkins was the top scorer in the match as Highgate made 240-8 from their allotted 55 overs.

That proved to be plenty as South Hampstead struggled in their reply, but the hosts managed to hold on and avoid defeat, finishing with 140-8.

SH won the toss at their Milverton Road ground and inserted Highgate, who suffered two early losses as Bilal Akram (1-19) bowled Matthew Holly (2) and Kirk Drummond (4-65) removed Edward Binns (12).

However, Atkins and Carman Mapatuna added 118 for the third wicket, when Mapatuna (64) was caught behind by Alex Ranger off the bowling of James Williams (2-40).

Jake Sharland joined Atkins at the crease and the pair also enjoyed a profitable partnership, putting on 86 runs before Atkins succumbed to a Drummond delivery at 219-4.

Already in a solid position, Highgate attempted to up the run-rate in the final overs, which resulted in a flurry of wickets.

Sharland (51) was stumped after reaching his half-century, and Craig Gourlay notched seven off 10 balls before becoming Drummond’s fourth victim.

Nicholas Brunner then departed for a golden dauck and Johan de Silva (3) was run out on his second ball, with Syed Muazam Ali (5 not out) and Freddie Barrass (1no) remaining unbeaten at the end of the 55th over as Highgate ended the innings as Highgate finished on 240-8.

In hindsight, they should possibly have declared earlier, because South Hampstead never threatened to chase down the target – but they managed to see out their 45 overs.

There were positive signs early in the innings as Ranger (15), Sam Bardon and Leroy Shepherd led the home side to 72-1.

But Bardon (11) was bowled by Gourlay (3-29), and Shepherd (45) and Algie Corbin (0) were both caught off the bowling of Mapatuna (4-34), who was on form with the ball as well as the bat.

Paul Atherley (12) was soon back in the pavilion too, leaving SH in trouble at 95-5 and playing for a draw.

Williams (2) proved resilient, seeing off 33 balls, but his departure was swiftly followed by that of Fuad Ahmed (4).

Seven wickets down, SH were indebted to a durable partnership between Nish Patel, who made 27 off 46 balls, and Karthik Jagannathan, who successfully faced 37 deliveries and remained unbeaten on three.

Patel was eventually caught by Mapatuna off Gourlay, but he was the last man out as Akram (6no) helped Jagannathan to fend off the final overs and secure a point.