League and cup success for Nicoll’s men

North Middlesex enjoyed a winning double in Middlesex League and National Cup action at the weekend.

Captain Tom Nicoll chose to bat against Premier Division rivals Southgate on Saturday, with Joe Cracknell (25) dominating a 38-run stand with Will Vanderspar.

A clutter of wickets then fell to leave the visitors 117-5 after 30 overs, but Vanderspar held firm during a difficult period to reach 67 from 103 balls.

And Adam Holmes (30 not out) and Connor Nurse (20 not out) added an unbroken 59 for the eighth wicket as they closed on 202-7.

Nicoll said: “The lower order did a cracking job and we went in at halfway with our tails up, confident in our bowlers.”

The hosts slumped to 3-2 in reply, as Adam Price and Joel Hughes (2-16) struck early, and a third wicket fell at 23.

And Nicoll added: “They delivered, both swinging it both ways and proving unplayable.

“‘Pricey’ unfortunately picked up a niggle and was cut short after three overs and replaced by Ed Bird who also beat the bat, frustratingly with no reward.”

Batting hero Vanderspar then came into the attack and produced superb figures of 10-4-18-4 to claim the man of the match award, with Nicoll (2-24) also having success before Nurse wrapped up a 103-run win.

“Southgate never really got any momentum. Again there are many things to improve on but so good to have 20 points in the bag already,” said Nicoll.

Essex League Chingford were the visitors for a National Cup match on Sunday, when half-centuries from Cracknell (88), Rob Fahrenheim (67), Evan Flowers (61) and Ollie Tikare (57 not out) saw North Middlesex to a whopping 359-5 from their 45 overs.

Bird (2-42) had some success with the ball in reply, as Chingford reached 165-5 in the 31st over, when the umpires abandoned play due to persistent rain and bad light and North Middlesex claimed victory on superior run rate.

North Middlesex visit defending champions Teddington this weekend, having been pipped to the title by them on the last day of the 2016 season.

James Parslow hit 102 off 117 balls as the seconds made 264 against Eastcote, who were then skittled for just 67 by Liam O’Driscoll (5-20) and Nick Brand (3-19).

n North London fell to an eight-wicket defeat against Osterley in Division One, after being dismissed for 205.

Captain Sam Bardon (57) top scored, with Milo Jennings (44) also making a start, but Don Manuwelge hit an unbeaten 121 off 98 balls in reply to steer the visitors comfortably to their target.