Skipper reflects on slender Division Two defeat

Islington Gazette: North London captain Sam Bardon (right) with shirt sponsor Sam Smith, partner at Streathers Solicitors of Crouch End (pic Stephen Gardiner)North London captain Sam Bardon (right) with shirt sponsor Sam Smith, partner at Streathers Solicitors of Crouch End (pic Stephen Gardiner) (Image: Archant)

North London came up agonisingly short in their Middlesex League Division Two opener at Twickenham.

Captain Sam Bardon (4-55) proved the pick of the attack as the home side made 222-9, with Kamran Yousaf (2-22) nabbing a brace.

And North London were very well placed at 152-2, when Simon Mintoft fell for 75 after stands of 83 and 62 with Milo Jennings (39) and Bardon (40).

The visitors lost momentum after that, closing on 217-7, and skipper Bardon said: “We would’ve been happy with 222-9 at the start, but we bowled very well and had them 130-8.

“Our fielding let us down a bit near the end and their number 10 (Parminder Singh) is not really a number 10 and got away (51 not out), which was disappointing.

“We were fairly confident we would get close given the way we’d batted pre-season and Simon and Milo set a platform.

“Simon and I batted well together, but we lost two quick wickets, which tipped it in their favour unfortunately.”

Bardon was particularly pleased to perform well with the ball, adding: “I was very pleased with my first spell. Their opener retired hurt and I got two wickets in two balls, so he came back to face the hat-trick ball, which he left, but was then out next ball.

“Three wickets in four balls was nice and I was pleased with the way it came out, but I stiffened up a bit after drinks.”

Despite the slender defeat, Bardon felt there were positives to take ahead of their meeting with Osterley this weekend.

He said: “We thought we had won it twice over and it’s frustrating to get that close. But it almost worked perfectly.

“We bat all the way down and our number 11 was our wicketkeeper Ralph (Pedersen), who was opening at the start of last season.

“There are positives to take forward, though. Twickenham were relegated from the Premier last year so it was a good illustration that we can compete with anybody and there’s nothing to be afraid of.

“Osterley came up with us from Division Two last year and although we lost the first game against them, the second was a hard-fought draw and very evenly matched so we’re looking forward to it.”

*North London’s men and women have had their shirts sponsored by local law firm Streathers Solicitors of Crouch End for the 2017 season.

Streathers will have their logos on the kit and two boundary boards at the club and partner Sam Smith said: “We are delighted to support a club on the way up, with a newly promoted men’s first team and a very successful women’s team competing in the new Middlesex club league. We wish them well.”