The Shepherd’s Cot club had to keep a cool head on Saturday to see off Osterley

Highgate travel to Brentham this weekend aiming to make it back-to-back Middlesex County Division Two wins.

Syed Muazam Alli's men had to remain calm on Saturday to triumph over Osterley by two wickets on home turf.

Johan de Silva said: "We're really pleased to get our first win of the year. Having won the toss, Scott Melville and Syed Hasnain Shah bowled tight opening spells, with 4-37 from Syed the pick of the bowling.

"This meant Osterley were restricted effectively, with some great fielding (in particular a screamer from Ollie Deme at mid-wicket to remove Harmeet Singh Panny) helping to restrict the visitors.

"The combination of change bowlers (David) Monk and (Sandum) Dias led to a late fall of wickets and Osterley fell to 94 all out in 31.4 overs, which was an under-par score on what was a good-quality deck."

He continued: "The start of the chase was frenetic, with three quick wickets falling in one Fahim Bahrami over, leaving Highgate at 12-3.

"We rebuilt through Uzair Amjaid (20) and Billy Blyghton (21) who put a partnership together before another flurry of wickets to leave us at 67-8.

"Freddie Barrass and man of the match Syed saw the game home with very calm batting in damp conditions to steer us to a valuable 10 points.

"We look forward to travelling to Brentham this weekend and building on what has been a positive start to the season."

No more than 200 runs overall were scored by the two teams at Shepherd's Cot last weekend, but an exciting match still occurred.

Osterley were put into bat first and were dismissed for 94 in the 32nd over with Shah taking 4-37.

Dias also picked up 3-17 and Highgate would have expected to cruise home at this point, but it wasn't the case.

Amjaid scored 20 at the top but the hosts soon found themselves in trouble on first 57-5 and then 67-8.