A SENSATIONAL final day of action in the Middlesex County Cricket League ended with Hampstead being promoted back to the Premier Division.

A commanding third-wicket partnership between Alex Duguid and Aniket Parikh worth 106 runs helped Hampstead secure a seven-wicket victory over Barnes in their final fixture of the season. Duguid ended on 57 not out, while Parikh hit 53.

That saw Hampstead reach 172-3, successfully chasing down the 169 they had earlier restricted Barnes to, largely thanks to Muhammad Ahmed, who took four wickets for just 24 runs.

Having picked up 10 points, Hampstead still needed results elsewhere to go their way, which they did with both North London and Eastcote losing their final matches.

Elsewhere, it took a welcome slice of luck, but North Middlesex have held onto their top-flight status.
Jacob Miltz’s side was beaten by 44 runs away to Hornsey in their final game of the season. But they were saved by Teddington’s four-wicket win over Ealing, who will now join Twickenham in Division One next season.