The two clubs are in the top-four of the Middlesex County League Division Three after a strong start to the 2018 campaign

Saturday will see two of the form teams in the Middlesex County League Division Three go head-to-head in an eagerly anticipated contest.

Local rivals Crouch End and North London have enjoyed good starts to the 2018 season and will do battle for bragging rights this weekend.

Both play at Crouch End Playing Fields and North London will host this fixture and head into the clash with confidence high.

Sam Bardon’s team made it three league wins in a row on Saturday away to Brentham with a fine bowling display.

After losing the toss, North London were made to bat first and everything was going well with openers Will Lake (25) and Vivek Lodhia (56) at the crease.

Once the former departed to leave the score 59-1, the away side could never get any more significant partnerships going and were all out for 122.

The next best score after 25 from Lake was extras with 16 as North London went from 102-2 to being dismissed in the 48th over.

After a below-par effort at the crease, Bardon knew his team had to deliver with the ball and thankfully they did in what was a fine all-round performance from the team.

Opening duo Navaid Akhtar (3-22) and Lodhia (2-30) set the tone with the new ball before they were backed up superbly by James Battock (2-11) and Yasiru Mudiyanselage (3-15).

It resulted in the leaders Brentham being all out for 82 to give North London another excellent victory which sees them fourth in the table.

Crouch End are still second after an emphatic win over South Hampstead last time out at home on Saturday.

Ryan Cunningham’s 3-58, with support from Chetan Depala (3-33), helped dismiss the visitors for 222.

It was never enough for the explosive batting line-up of Crouch End, as they made it home by eight wickets in the 27th over of the match.

Wicket-keeper Jalpesh Vijay showed his class with an 81-ball innings of 149 not out, which included nine sixes and 15 fours.

Amandeep Dhaliwal (23*) was with him at the end to ensure Crouch End claimed their sixth win of the season.

It means the two rivals will go into Saturday’s match full of confidence and ready to try and secure another victory.