Victorious North London were left on tenterhooks for two hours after beating Harrow Town before finally learning that they had secured promotion to Middlesex County League Division Two.

NL were back in the clubhouse by 4.30pm after outplaying Town in seven-wicket win – but their fate rested on the outcome of promotion rivals Brentham’s clash with Kenton.

Eventually news came through that the Brentham match had been washed out and the North London players could begin to celebrate returning to the second tier for the first time since 2009.

“Even though it rained constantly after we came in, I was still convinced they were somehow going to get back on at Brentham,” admitted North London captain Sam Bardon.

“We were going to celebrate the fact that we’d had a great season anyway and we were all delighted – we just didn’t know how delighted until the coach got a call to confirm we were up.

“We were very lucky in that, if the rain had come half an hour earlier for us or half an hour later at Brentham, it would have been different.”

Bardon won the toss and put the visitors in, but their opening pair passed 50 without loss before the skipper (1-34) removed Muhammad Arshad (19).

NL’s spinners took control, with Jordan Gregory returning 4-36, Ted Greally 2-32 and James Fell 1-17 as Town slid to 139 all out in the 37th over, despite Asim Mohammed’s 79.

North London went about their reply at a rapid pace, with Hussain Shabbir (18), Milo Jennings (24) and Will Lake (22) all contributing before Gregory slammed a quickfire 60 not out to seal victory in the 28th over.

That completed a fine performance from the South African all-rounder as Bardon (8no) watched from the other end.

“That kind of acceleration was exactly what we needed,” added the skipper. “Jordan’s been fantastic and we hope we can get him back for next year.”