Craig Gourlay’s all-round display maintained Highgate’s maximum record this season as they beat Harrow Town by four wickets to stay top of the Division Three table in the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Gourlay returned his first five-wicket haul of the campaign to roll the home side over for 147 – and then shone with the bat as well, hitting an unbeaten 42 to steer Highgate to victory.

The visitors won the toss, sent Town in and dismissed them in 38.1 overs, with Gourlay taking 5-23 and gaining good support from Will Brookes (2-23) and Ed Foster (2-27).

However, the run chase was less than straightforward for Highgate as they lost Will Bowley (2) and skipper Jake Sharland (0) with just 17 on the board.

A partnership of 59 between opener Chris Arul, who struck 48 from just 51 deliveries, and Hashen Ramanayake (43) got the visitors back on track, although they endured a middle-order wobble.

Arul, Ben Sudell (5) and Brookes (3) all departed in quick succession as Highgate slid to 88-5 – and it fell to Gourlay to guide his team over the line.

The all-rounder scooped a boundary over the wicketkeeper’s head to finish on 42 not out as Highgate secured the 10 points at the start of the 34th over.

Bowley said: “Yet again, Craig led by example with bat and ball, helped by good support from his fellow bowlers and then Chris at the top of the order.

“We were all delighted when he hit the winning runs with his trademark shovel shot.Three wins from three is an ideal start.”