Queen’s Park Westfield’s lead at the top of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League Premier Division now stands at 14 points after a tense nine-run victory over basement club, Lutonian on Sunday (19 July).

They are just ahead of reigning champions, Luton Town and Indians who comfortably saw off Ickwell by six wickets, while Bedford are back in third after a rest week.

Helped by a superb unbeaten 67 from number ten batter, Khawaja Hafeez, Queen’s Park were able to defend a reasonable total of 215/9 in dramatic fashion, with Lutonian only able to reach 206 in response.

They were aided by 84 from opener, Muhammad Saleem, while Westfield’s Aqib Iqbal and the ever-present, Zahid Ali Khan picked up three wickets apiece to eventually secure Queen’s Park eighth win from 10 league games.

Queen’s Park Westfield travel to Bedford next Sunday (26 July).

Elsewhere, Biddenham remain eighth after a 95-run loss at Flitwick.

Joe Lowe top scored with 72 for the hosts, while captain Harry Thurstance struck 70 as Flitwick posted a target of 231/4, but Biddenham were soon in trouble at 89/6.

Charlie Searle top scored with 36 opening the batting for Biddenham, who ended up falling meekly for just 136 with Flitwick’s Isaaq Qamar securing a five-wicket haul.

The only other game in the division ended in a three-wicket victory for Dunstable Town at Southill Park.

Around the grounds

Queen’s Park Westfield’s 2nd XI continued their indifferent season with a three-wicket loss at Stony Stratford in Division One.

An unbeaten 47 for Hassan Ali helped Westfield to 183 all out batting first, and despite an excellent opening spell of bowling for Wajahat Ali (3-14), Stony Stratford crept over the line with five balls remaining.

Queen’s Park remain solidly in mid table.

Harrold’s excellent form in Division Two continued with an easy nine-wicket victory at Dunstable Town 2nd XI.

Chasing just 108, Harrold were able to knock their target off in just 20 overs to leapfrog Milton Keynes Warriors into top spot by nine points, although the Warriors have a game in hand.

In Division Three, Elstow were put to the sword after a fine batting display from Rising Stars Milton Keynes who posted 290/8 at Emberton Cricket Ground; a target that proved too much for the visitors.

Zack Jepp scored a half century in response for Elstow, but regular wickets were their downfall as they were bowled out for 156.

Queen’s Park Westfield’s third and fourth teams were both defeated heavily in divisions four and five respectively, but in Division six, Elstow’s 2nd XI were in the runs as they beat Olney Town’s 2nd XI at The Warren.

Half centuries for Elstow’s Zulqarnain Haider (57) and Zeeshan Akram (62) lay the foundation for an Elstow total of 256/7 and despite an unbeaten century from Olney’s Matt Bacon, the visitors ultimately fell 29 runs short.

Elstow are up to sixth, while Kempston Hammers are in third despite a six-wicket loss at divisional leaders, Offley and Stopsley.