The Division Two club were unable to make a winning start to the season last weekend

Johan de Silva is confident Highgate will secure a first win in this season's Middlesex County Division Two very soon.

The Shepherd's Cot club suffered relegation in 2018 and will be hoping to return to the top flight at the first time of asking this year.

Highgate started the campaign away to Enfield on Saturday and suffered a 11-run loss after failing to chase down 235.

"Although we lost, there were plenty of positives to take from the game," said director of junior cricket de Silva.

"We lost 16 overs due to concerns around the square, however when we were underway Enfield started brightly with a 56-run partnership for the first wicket.

"New man Scott Melville was economical up top with another new player, Syed Hasnain Shah.

"The introduction of David Monk quickly put the brakes on Enfield's top order though overseas Hawksworth and local man Tony Sayers accelerated towards the back end of the innings.

"Hawksworth finishing with an accomplished 93 from just 63 balls, but our Overseas Sandun Dias stemmed the flow of runs with a quick three-fer (3-68) and we were left with 235 to win."

In reply, Shane McNamara showed his class with a superb 104 off 93 balls and Zahid Ali Khan added a rapid 53 from four, but that was as good as it would get for Highgate.

The lower-order all failed to get into double figures and they closed their innings on 223-8 off 37 overs.

"Shane and Hasnain Ali opened and again the innings started brightly, with 88 put on for the first wicket," de Silva said.

"Shane completed an excellent ton however once he was removed, momentum slowed down slightly.

"Zahid Ali Khan notched up a debut fifty, but we were struggling in the latter stages to clear the ropes which eventually cost us in a tight finish.

"Credit to Enfield, who bowled well in the latter half of the 37, and who will no doubt be a strong side this season.

"We move onto this week where we host Osterley at home looking to get our first 10-point win on the board."