Geoff Jones demolished Harrow Town with the best bowling performance in Middlesex County League Division Three this season as resurgent North London inched nearer to the promotion places.

Stand-in captain Hussain Shabbir laid the foundations for NL’s success with an impressive unbeaten century before Jones blitzed the home side’s batting line-up, recording figures of 6-38 as they were blown away for exactly 100 in just under 24 overs.

Town won the toss and opted to field first, gaining an early success when the in-form Milo Jennings was bowled by Parth Goradia for just a single, but Shabbir and Simon Mintoft kept the scoreboard ticking over with a partnership of 94.

Mintoft struck eight fours in his knock of 50 before falling to Buddhija Attanayake and Will Lake was run out for eight, but Jack Atchinson (23) provided solid support as Shabbir progressed to his ton.

Although Atchinson became the second run-out victim of the innings, Jordan Gregory stepped up the tempo as he blazed 26 not out from 17 balls.

Shabbir finished undefeated on 119, a knock that included 16 fours and three sixes, before declaring on 245-4 at the end of the 48th over – giving NL ample time to dismiss their hosts.

Town made a reasonable start to their reply as Gihan Herath (22) and Asim Mohamed (28) reached 41 before the former was run out by Matt Rosson.

With Asim caught behind off Dave Schout (1-51), the path was clear for Jones to wreak havoc, bowling Uzair Mohammed (3) and then having Zainali Panjwani caught behind for a duck.

Gishan Herath, with a breezy 23 from 25 balls, was the only batsman to offer much resistance as Town’s middle order crumbled, with Rosson (2-10) claiming the wickets of Muhammad Arshad (11) and Attanayake (1).

Jones trapped Herath leg before and dismissed Mohamed Nawfer with his next delivery before removing Town’s last two batsmen, both for ducks, to complete his six-for and North London’s third victory in their last four games.