Muz Ali’s team produced a battling display last weekend, but it wasn’t enough to help them claim 10 points against Richmond

Spirits are still high at Highgate ahead of Saturday’s Middlesex County League Premier Division clash away to Shepherd’s Bush.

Muz Ali’s team put up a strong fight in the season opener last weekend at home to Richmond, but eventually lost by six wickets.

Shane McNamara top scored for Highgate with 86 while number three Hasnain Ali scored 45, but once they were dismissed the hosts collapsed to 209 all out.

The Shepherd’s Cot side failed to let their below-par score knock their confidence, however, and started well with the ball.

Richmond were reduced to 1-2, but despite the best efforts of opening bowlers Malik Sadiq (2-46) and Mohammad Ahmed (1-17), the visitors knocked the runs off with more than six overs to spare.

Highgate’s Johan de Silva said: “The team put in a very creditable performance on their first outing in the Premier League.

“Firstly, thanks to all those individuals who worked extremely hard on the ground during the week to ensure it was fit for play on Saturday, and to the umpires for being pragmatic about the circumstances under which the game could be played.

“We were disappointed to only total 209 when we were sitting at 146-1, but credit to Richmond for restricting us.

“It was a day where, had a couple of catches been taken and marginals gone our way, there may have been a different result.”

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Highgate to take and de Silva believes they can head to Shepherd’s Bush with confidence intact.

He added: “All in all, it was not a bad start to the campaign against a strong Richmond side, and there were plenty of positives to take away from the day, most notably a decent all-round bowling performance and some top-order players having time at the crease.

“We look forward to travelling to Shepherd’s Bush this weekend in search of our first 10 points for the season.

“Finally, I’d like to thank our Match Day Sponsor – Daniel Juniper of Juniper’s Pianos. We are grateful to him for his support of the game and club, and interested individuals can contact him at http://www.juniperpianos.co.uk/.