Lymington Road club defeated Stanmore on Saturday to stay top of the table, but their chairman knows they can be even better

Hampstead chairman Nick Brown was far from happy on Saturday despite watching his team claim a third consecutive Middlesex League Premier Division success of the season.

The Lymington Road club beat Stanmore by 18 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method, but made life difficult for themselves.

Liam Hughes’ team were dismissed for 178 inside 29 rain-affected overs and set their rivals 203 for victory, but the away side were bowled out for 185.

“Obviously we are pleased to win, but we are continuing to make things very difficult for ourselves,” said Brown.

Garth Davson top scored for the hosts with 62 while George Adair (27) and Sam Evison (36) made starts.

But the rest of the Hampstead batting line-up struggled and Brown was frustrated they could only make 178.

He added: “We were given a fantastic platform for a big total by Garth, George and Sam, but in truth threw most of that good work away.

“Of course it is amateur cricket, but we should have done much better. There was no reason why we couldn’t have comfortably scored 200 before the Duckworth-Lewis adjustment for the rain delay would have set Stanmore towards 230.”

The Hampstead chairman wasn’t best pleased with their bowling either, although was happy to see Will Roberts (4-38) respond strongly following a difficult early spell.

Jack Biddulph (3-40) also did plenty of damage, Brown said: “Our seamers have gone round the park for the second week running.

“We were indebted to the slow bowlers and the fielding to bring the game back, but Will came back and took out the tail, something that he is very adept at doing.”

Brown is now keen for Hampstead to improve ahead of visiting second from bottom Finchley this weekend.

He said: “We will have Mubasher Hassan available on Saturday. He will add strength to our batting and bowling. We also hope that Andrew Hazeldine will be fit to bowl.

“There is also possibility that Steve Clark will be back, so they will compensate for Liam Hughes and Jack Biddulph being unavailable this weekend.”